经验
jīngyàn
In Chinese, 'experience' as a noun referring to accumulated knowledge is expressed as 经验 (jīngyàn).
经验 is used to describe the knowledge, skill or wisdom a person has gathered through performing certain actions or tasks over a period of time. When you want to say someone has a lot of experience, the most natural way to say this is by using the collocation 丰富的经验 (rich or abundant experience).
Meaning: the knowledge thus gathered (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 经验 refers to the accumulated knowledge itself, other words describe the act of experiencing: use 经历 (jīnglì) when referring to the act of undergoing or going through an event or a specific period of time and use 体验 (tǐyàn) when the focus is on the subjective feeling or the sensory experience of an activity.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 有经验 (yǒu jīngyàn) can function as an adjective phrase meaning 'to be experienced' or 'to be seasoned' in a particular field.
How do you pronounce it?
jīngyàn
Did you know?
- The character 经 in 经验 originally referred to the warp threads on a loom. This suggests that 'experience' is viewed as the longitudinal threads that provide the structure for one's knowledge.
- The phrase 血泪经验 (blood and tears experience) is used to describe knowledge gained through extreme hardship or failure. It implies that the 'experience' was paid for with genuine suffering.
- In a job interview, saying 我有经验 (I have experience) can sometimes sound too blunt. Many speakers instead use 请多指教 (please give me your guidance) to humbly acknowledge their level of 经验 relative to the interviewer.
Examples in context
- 我比汤姆更有经验。I have more experience than Tom.This sentence is useful for comparing one person's level of experience to another using 经验.Tatoeba #5663451 by verdastelo9604, translation #4102976 by CK
- 我什么经验都没有。I don't have any experience.This sentence is useful for expressing a total lack of 经验.Tatoeba #7767559 by jiangche, translation #6264986 by CK
- 他在教学上拥有丰富的经验。He has a lot of teaching experience.This sentence is useful for describing someone who possesses 经验 in a professional field like teaching.Tatoeba #12686426 by soueihin, translation #1316085 by CK
- 我有很多工作经验I have a lot of work experience.
- 他的阅历非常丰富He has a rich experience.
- 这是我在中国的第一次旅行经历This is my first travel experience in China.
- 我在音乐节上有了很棒的体验I had a great experience at the music festival.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new project task.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这个项目需要很多经验。Zhège xiàngmù xūyào hěnduō jīngyàn.This project requires a lot of experience.
- 伟 Wei我会努力学习积累经验的。Wǒ huì nǔlì xuéxí jīlěi jīngyàn de.I will study hard to accumulate experience.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen加油，相信你能行的。Jiāyóu, xiāngxìn nǐ néng xíng de.Keep it up, I believe you can do it.
- 伟 Wei谢谢你的鼓励。Xièxiè nǐ de gǔlì.Thank you for your encouragement.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
