测试
cèshì
The English word 'test' in Mandarin is translated as 测试 (cèshì).
In an academic context, 测试 refers to an examination. It can also be used as a verb meaning to challenge.
Meaning: academics: examination (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 测试 is a general term for a test, 测验 is a formal term used specifically for educational assessments like quizzes or examinations. To refer to the actual physical test paper, use 考卷 in Taiwan and parts of southern China.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan and parts of southern China, the term 考卷 is used to refer to a test paper.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
cèshì
Did you know?
- In a high-stakes environment, if a student says they 'failed a test', they might use the word 挂科 (guà kē), which literally means 'to hang up a subject'.
- The character 测 (cè) in 测试 is composed of the radical for 'water' on the left, which historically relates to measuring the depth of water.
- While 测试 works for technical testing, if you want to say you are 'testing' a person's patience or resolve, you would more naturally use the verb 考验 (kǎoyàn).
Examples in context
- 这是一个测试。This is a test.This sentence shows how to identify a single 测试.Tatoeba #8602039 by mikeee, translation #2573684 by Hybrid
- 玛丽的测试结果怎么样？What was the result of Mary's test?This sentence is useful for asking about the results of a 测试.Tatoeba #8791920 by crescat, translation #32020 by CN
- 测试我考了低分。I got a low score on the test.This sentence demonstrates how to mention receiving a low score on a 测试.Tatoeba #9415229 by BobbyLee, translation #8359751 by CK
- 我明天有一场考试。I have a test tomorrow.
- 我们下周会有一次语文测验。We will have a Chinese test next week.
- 你能把考卷交给我吗？Can you pass the test paper to me?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rain and Wei are talking about a school exam.
- 雨婷 Yuting明天的测试准备好了吗？Míngtiān de cèshì zhǔnbèi hǎole ma?Are you ready for tomorrow's test?
- 浩然 Haoran我还没准备好，压力很大。Wǒ hái méi zhǔnbèi hǎo, yālì hěn dà.I'm not ready yet, I'm under a lot of pressure.
- 雨婷 Yuting不要担心，你可以的。Búyào dānxīn, nǐ kěyǐ de.Don't worry, you can do it.
- 浩然 Haoran谢谢你的鼓励，雨婷。Xièxiè nǐ de gǔlì, Yǔtíng.Thanks for your encouragement, Yuting.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
