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尝试 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
尝试chángshìto tryHSK 5, vn, rank #1383, Hard
尝试chángshìto attemptHSK 5, vn, rank #1383, Hard
chángshì(chang2shi4) T2
  1. 1to try
  2. 2to attempt
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March 24, 2026
尝试(嘗試)chángshì(chang2shi4)

尝试 (chángshì) means 'to try' or 'to attempt,' often used in contexts where one is making an effort to do something new or challenging. It conveys a sense of exploration or experimentation, whether in learning, cooking, or tackling a project. This word is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations.

Frequency#1383DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, attempting something new is often viewed positively, reflecting a growth mindset. The phrase 尝试 (chángshì) is frequently used in educational settings, encouraging students to experiment and learn from mistakes rather than fear failure.

Memory Tip

Imagine a chef (尝) tasting (试) a new dish for the first time. The character 尝 has the radical for ‘to taste,’ and when combined with 试, which means ‘to test,’ it forms the idea of trying something out. Visualize the chef's determination to create a masterpiece, symbolizing the essence of attempting something new.

Meanings of 尝试

chángshì(chang2shi4)
1to try
2to attempt
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 尝试

尝试Simplified
嘗試Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#1383Frequency Rank
次Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 尝试

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Podcast: 尝试

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AI Study Notes for 尝试

Quick Contrast

尝试 (chángshì) vs 尝 (cháng) — use 尝试 when emphasizing the act of attempting something new, while 尝 is specifically about tasting.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a chef (尝) tasting (试) a new dish for the first time. The character 尝 has the radical for ‘to taste,’ and when combined with 试, which means ‘to test,’ it forms the idea of trying something out. Visualize the chef's determination to create a masterpiece, symbolizing the essence of attempting something new.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 尝试 with 试图 (shìtú), which means 'to attempt' but carries a more intentional connotation. Common collocations include 尝试新事物 (chángshì xīn shìwù - try new things) and 尝试做某事 (chángshì zuò mǒushì - attempt to do something). The third tone in 尝 (cháng) may get mispronounced as a second tone, so pay attention to the tonal differences.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 尝试 connects to advanced vocabulary regarding actions and intentions. Students should focus on using this word in various contexts, such as discussing personal experiences or professional endeavors, to enhance their speaking and writing skills.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, attempting something new is often viewed positively, reflecting a growth mindset. The phrase 尝试 (chángshì) is frequently used in educational settings, encouraging students to experiment and learn from mistakes rather than fear failure.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 尝试 with 试 (shì), which means 'to try' in a more limited sense, without the exploratory nuance. For example, saying '我试这道菜' (Wǒ shì zhè dào cài) implies merely trying a dish, while '我尝试这道菜' (Wǒ chángshì zhè dào cài) conveys the idea of making an effort to experience it.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 尝试

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Component Characters

尝chángto taste
HSK 39 strokes⺌
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试shìto test
HSK 38 strokes讠
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Write 尝试

尝
试

Practice writing 尝试 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 尝试

尝试 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.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

与其在这里犹豫不决，不妨大胆____一下。

Rather than hesitating here, you might as well give it a bold try.

Example Sentences for 尝试 (10)

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1
我一直乐于尝试新产品。

wǒ yī zhí lè yú cháng shì xīn chǎn pǐn。

I'm always pleased to try out a new variety.
2
她从未放弃过探究我内心深处情感的尝试。

tā cóng wèi fàng qì guò tàn jiū wǒ nèi xīn shēn chǔ qíng gǎn de cháng shì。

She never abandoned her attempts to plumb my innermost emotions.
3
我再次尝试联系我的表妹琼。

wǒ zài cì cháng shì lián xì wǒ de biǎo mèi qióng。

I tried again to get ahold of my cousin Joan.
4
反堕胎者所作的加强法规的尝试失败了。

fǎn duò tāi zhě suǒ zuò de jiā qiáng fǎ guī de cháng shì shī bài le。

An attempt by anti-abortionists to tighten the rules was defeated.
5
这名重量级拳击冠军将尝试挑战霍利菲尔德的世界冠军头衔。

zhè míng zhòng liáng jí quán jī guān jūn jiāng cháng shì tiāo zhàn huò lì fēi ěr dé de shì jiè guān jūn tóu xián。

The heavyweight champion will be given a shot at Holyfield's world title.
6
叛军屡次尝试强攻这座建筑。

pàn jūn lǚ cì cháng shì qiáng gōng zhè zuò jiàn zhù。

The rebel soldiers tried repeatedly to storm the building.
7
他总是渴望拥有新的经历，而且永远愿意尝试。

tā zǒng shì kě wàng yōng yǒu xīn de jīng lì， ， ér qiě yǒng yuǎn yuàn yì cháng。

He is always eager for new experiences and ever-willing to experiment.
8
英国最早尝试在爱尔兰开拓殖民地是在12世纪。

yīng guó zuì zǎo cháng shì zài ài ěr lán kāi tuò zhí mín dì shì zài12 12 shì。

The first British attempt to colonize Ireland was in the twelfth century.
9
一些人只是想尝试一下自杀，但却不幸真的身亡了。

yī xiē rén zhī shì xiǎng cháng shì yī xià zì shā， ， dàn què bù xìng zhēn de shēn wáng。

Some people unluckily achieve suicide when they only meant to attempt it.
10
我正想换工作，想尝试点不一样的事情来挑战一下自己。

wǒ zhèng xiǎng huàn gōng zuò， ， xiǎng cháng shì diǎn bù yī yàng de shì qíng lái tiāo zhàn yī xià zì。

I'm trying to move on and stretch myself with something different.

Cultural Notes for 尝试

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, attempting something new is often viewed positively, reflecting a growth mindset. The phrase 尝试 (chángshì) is frequently used in educational settings, encouraging students to experiment and learn from mistakes rather than fear failure.

Frequently Asked Questions about 尝试

Yes, 尝试 is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations.