test
/tɛst/masculine
In French, the English phrase 'test' can be translated as test or examen.
Meaning: academics: examination (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| test | /tɛst/ | masculine |
| examen | /ɛɡ.za.mɛ̃/ /eɡ.za.mɛ̃/ |
masculine |
In academic contexts, these words refer to an examination.
Which one should you use?
While test is used for smaller, informal assessments, examen is the standard term for formal academic examinations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both test and examen are masculine nouns. The related verb tester means to administer an examination during the academic term, or to challenge, as in mettre à l'épreuve.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɛst/
Did you know?
- While examen refers to the test itself, French students often use the verb sécher (to dry) to describe skipping a test or class.
- The term examen comes from the Latin word for the handle of a balance or scale, reflecting the idea of weighing a student's knowledge.
- The word test shares a root with testum, a Latin word for a clay pot used to assay precious metals.
Examples in context
- Ça sera en test.This will be on the test.This sentence uses test to show what material will be covered.Tatoeba #1778525 by sacredceltic, translation #1767314 by Spamster
- C'est juste un test.This is just a test.This sentence uses test to indicate the nature of an assessment.Tatoeba #12961838 by lbdx, translation #9192709 by CK
- Tu as réussi l'examen.You passed the test.This sentence uses examen to describe passing a formal test.Tatoeba #5502202 by pititnatole, translation #3342793 by CK
- Mon professeur a préparé un examen difficile cette semaine.My teacher has prepared a difficult test this week.
- J'ai passé une épreuve de mathématiques très complexe pendant mon entretien d'embauche.I took a very complex mathematics test during my job interview.
- Demain, nous aurons un contrôle de vocabulaire en français.Tomorrow, we will have a vocabulary test in French.
- J'ai complètement oublié l'interro de français aujourd'hui !I completely forgot about the French quiz today!
- 207 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking in the school hallway.
- NathanTu es prête pour le test ?Are you ready for the test?
- LéaNon, Nathan, je suis très stressée.No, Nathan, I am very stressed.
- NathanNe t'inquiète pas, Léa.Don't worry, Léa.
- LéaJ'espère que le test sera facile.I hope the test will be easy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “test” translations and entries test, examen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries examen, test, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
