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March 24, 2026
试图(試圖)shìtú(shi4tu2)
试图 (shìtú) means 'to attempt' or 'to try' and is often used in contexts where one is making an effort to achieve something. It implies a sense of effort and intention, commonly found in both spoken and written Chinese to express endeavors in various situations.
Frequency#1125DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of attempting or trying is significant in Chinese culture, where perseverance and effort are highly valued. This is reflected in sayings like '失败是成功之母' (Failure is the mother of success), which encourages attempting despite difficulties.
Memory Tip
Think of 试 (shì) as 'to test' and 图 (tú) as 'a blueprint or plan.' Together, imagine testing a plan you created, emphasizing the effort involved in trying something new. The pronunciation 'shi4 tu2' can help you remember it as 'she tried to make a blueprint.'
Meanings of 试图
shìtú(shi4tu2)
1to attempt
2to try
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 试图
试图Simplified
試圖Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1125Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 试图
Podcast: 试图
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AI Study Notes for 试图
Quick Contrast
尝试 (chángshì) implies 'to try' in a more general sense, often without the same connotation of intention or effort as 试图 (shìtú).
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 试 (shì) as 'to test' and 图 (tú) as 'a blueprint or plan.' Together, imagine testing a plan you created, emphasizing the effort involved in trying something new. The pronunciation 'shi4 tu2' can help you remember it as 'she tried to make a blueprint.'
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 试图 with similar verbs like 尝试 (chángshì, to try) or 努力 (nǔlì, to strive), but 试图 emphasizes the intention behind the attempt. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, so be mindful of your audience when using it.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 试图 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to effort and intention, such as 努力 (nǔlì) and 计划 (jìhuà). Focus on using it in complex sentences to express nuanced attempts or plans.
Cultural Note
The concept of attempting or trying is significant in Chinese culture, where perseverance and effort are highly valued. This is reflected in sayings like '失败是成功之母' (Failure is the mother of success), which encourages attempting despite difficulties.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 试图 by directly translating it as 'to try' without considering the context of an attempt. For example, saying '我试图吃' (I attempt to eat) is awkward; instead, use '我试图尝试新的食物' (I attempt to try new food) for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 试图
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Grammar Patterns of 试图
试图 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我极不赞成你____达成的目标。
I'm highly unsympathetic to what you are trying to achieve.
Example Sentences for 试图 (10)
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1
我极不赞成你试图达成的目标。
wǒ jí bù zàn chéng nǐ shì tú dá chéng de mù biāo。
I'm highly unsympathetic to what you are trying to achieve.
2
亚辛试图从警察手中逃脱时受了重伤。
yà xīn shì tú cóng jǐng chá shǒu zhōng táo tuō shí shòu le zhòng shāng。
Yasin had seriously hurt himself while trying to escape from the police.
3
机场地勤人员试图阻止这位飞行员驾机起飞。
jī cháng dì qín rén yuán shì tú zǔ zhǐ zhè wèi fēi háng yuán jià jī qǐ fēi。
The airport ground crew tried to dissuade the pilot from taking off.
4
他拼命地闪身躲开一辆试图撞倒他的疾驰的汽车。
tā pīn mìng dì shǎn shēn duǒ kāi yī liàng shì tú zhuàng dǎo tā de jí chí de qì chē。
He desperately dodged a speeding car trying to run him down.
5
他试图爬走时肩膀中枪了。
tā shì tú pá zǒu shí jiān bǎng zhōng qiāng le。
As he tried to crawl away, he was hit in the shoulder.
6
我们试图让独木舟靠他更近一些。
wǒ mén shì tú ràng dú mù zhōu kào tā gēng jìn yī xiē。
We attempted to manoeuvre the canoe closer to him.
The tobacco industry has been trying to improve its image.
9
在那段时期不断有人试图恢复死刑。
zài nà duàn shí qī bù duàn yǒu rén shì tú huī fù sǐ xíng。
During that time there have been repeated attempts to reintroduce capital punishment.
10
一小伙人试图推倒一尊塑像。
yī xiǎo huǒ rén shì tú tuī dǎo yī zūn sù xiàng。
A small crowd attempted to pull down a statue.
Cultural Notes for 试图
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of attempting or trying is significant in Chinese culture, where perseverance and effort are highly valued. This is reflected in sayings like '失败是成功之母' (Failure is the mother of success), which encourages attempting despite difficulties.
Frequently Asked Questions about 试图
Yes, 试图 is appropriate for both contexts, though it may sound slightly more formal in conversation.
Yes, 试图 implies a more intentional effort towards a goal, while 尝试 is more about trying something out.
Absolutely! You can pair it with verbs to express attempts, such as 试图理解 (shìtú lǐjiě, to attempt to understand).
