通过考试
tōng guò kǎo shì
In Chinese, to say 'pass exam' is to use 通过考试 (tōng guò kǎo shì).
The phrase is used to describe being successful in a test by achieving the required score. In casual spoken Chinese, people often shorten the expression to 考过了.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 通过考试 is composed of 通过 (tōngguò), meaning 'to pass through' or 'to pass' and 考试 (kǎoshì), meaning 'exam' or 'test'.
Which one should you use?
While 通过考试 refers generally to successfully passing an exam, the term 及格 (jí gé) specifically means to reach the minimum passing grade or threshold. Additionally, 成功考取 is a more specialized formal expression used when someone has successfully aced an exam and attained the desired result.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the exam has already been passed, add the aspect particle 了 (le) after the verb 通过, resulting in 通过了考试.
How do you pronounce it?
tōng guò kǎo shì
Did you know?
- Because of the extreme pressure of the 高考 (gāokǎo) college entrance exam, the act of passing is often discussed using terminology associated with 'battle' or 'warfare'.
- In Chinese culture, the 'exam' concept is tied to the ancient 科举 (kējǔ), a rigorous imperial examination system that lasted over a millennium and determined social mobility.
- While 通过 (tōngguò) is the standard way to say 'to pass', it literally carries the sense of 'passing through' a physical space or a tunnel. Using it for an exam treats the test as a physical barrier or a gateway one must traverse.
Examples in context
- 祝你通过考试！I wish you pass the exam!
- 我终于通过考试了！Wǒ zhōngyú tōngguò kǎoshì le!I finally passed the exam!
- 希望你能通过考试。Xīwàng nǐ néng tōngguò kǎoshì.I hope you can pass the exam.
- 通过考试并不容易。Tōngguò kǎoshì bìng bù róngyì.Passing the exam is not easy.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a recent driving test result.
- 梓涵 Zihan俊杰，你通过考试了吗？Jùnjié, nǐ tōngguò kǎoshì le ma?Junjie, did you pass the exam?
- 俊杰 Junjie我通过考试了，太开心了！Wǒ tōngguò kǎoshì le, tài kāixīn le!I passed the exam, I'm so happy!
- 梓涵 Zihan真为你感到高兴。Zhēn wèi nǐ gǎndào gāoxìng.I'm truly happy for you.
- 俊杰 Junjie谢谢梓涵！Xièxiè Zǐhán!Thanks, Zihan!
