Chinese word

试

Pronunciation

Pinyinshì

Meaning

  • verbtry

Example

你可以试一下这件衣服吗？nǐ ké yǐ shì yí xià zhè jiàn yī fú ma

Can you try this piece of clothing on?

Illustration for 试 (try)

More examples

我想试一试这个办法，看看能不能解决问题。wǒ xiǎng shì yí shì zhè ge bàn fǎ kàn kàn néng bù néng jiě jué wèn tí

I want to try this method and see if it can solve the problem.

Core concept

A small step into action used to check a result, skill, or fit.

Common phrases

  • 试一试shì yí shì

    give it a try

  • 试穿shì chuān

    try on

  • 试看看shì kàn kàn

    try it and see

Similar words

尝试cháng shì: Actually carrying out a method or action to see whether it works.
试用shì yòng: Using a product or feature to check its performance and ease of use.
试穿shì chuān: Putting on clothing to check its size and appearance.
测试cè shì: Officially examining a machine or system to check its performance or condition.

Definition in Chinese

用某种方法、动作或言语进行尝试，以观察效果或验证判断yòng móu zhǒng fāng fǎ dòng zuò huò yán yǔ jìn xíng cháng shì yǐ guān chá xiào guǒ huò yàn zhèng pàn duàn

Word origin

The modern character 试 (shì, "try") preserves a sound-and-meaning pattern in which 讠 (yán, "speech") hints at the meaning and 式 (shì, "form") hints at the sound.

Usage tips

  • This verb commonly appears before another verb, a useful Chinese pattern that presents an action as a possible way to find an answer rather than as a finished plan.

Other meanings

  • attemptverb
  • testverb

Word lists with this word