Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 시험 | siheom | [ɕʰiɦʌ̹m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 테스트 | teseuteu | [tʰe̞sʰɯtʰɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In an academic context, 시험 refers to an examination. You may also encounter the phrase 시험 기간 to describe the specific weeks during a school term dedicated to midterms or finals. To express the action of administering an examination during an academic term, you can use the verb 시험하다.
Which one should you use?
시험 is the standard term used for formal academic or official examinations. In contrast, 테스트 is a loanword from English that is typically used for technical purposes, such as software testing or for casual trial-and-error scenarios.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When saying you are 'taking' a test, use the verb 보다 (to see) instead of the verb for 'to take' like 취하다. For a more formal way to express sitting for or undergoing an examination, you can use the verb 치르다. To say you passed a test, use the particle 에 with the verb 합격하다. Conversely, to say you failed a test, use the particle 에 with the verb 떨어지다 (to fall).
How do you pronounce it?
siheom
Did you know?
- The phrase 시험 기간 (exam period) often triggers a cultural phenomenon where students visit 'study cafes' for 24 hours a day.
- The formal verb 치르다 used for tests also means 'to pay' a price or 'to undergo' a difficult experience.
- The word 시험 comes from the Sino-Korean characters 試驗, meaning 'to try' and 'to examine'.
Examples in context
- 시험을 더 잘 봤어야 했는데.I should've done better on the test.This sentence uses 시험 to express regret about a past test performance.Tatoeba #7965159 by EstasKorea, translation #7965152 by CK
- 난 과학 시험에서 D를 받았어.I got a D on my science test.This sentence uses 시험 to describe receiving a specific grade on a science test.Tatoeba #8363699 by Eunhee, translation #1933291 by CK
- 톰은 운전면허 시험에 떨어질 듯 하다.Tom isn't likely to pass the driving test.This sentence uses 시험 to discuss the likelihood of passing a driving test.Tatoeba #7021327 by crowdy, translation #7021243 by CK
- 저는 내일 수학 시험이 있어요.I have a math test tomorrow.
- 오늘 컴퓨터 과목 테스트를 봤어.I took a computer subject test today.
- 내일 모의고사가 있어요.I have a mock exam tomorrow.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking in the hallway before a class.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 오늘 수학 시험 있어요?Minji ssi, oneul suhak siheom isseoyo?Minji, is there a math test today?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 그런데 공부를 하나도 안 했어요.Ne, geureonde gongbureul hanado an haesseoyo.Yes, but I didn't study at all.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저도요. 이번 시험 너무 어려울 것 같아요.Jeodoyo. ibeon siheom neomu eoryeoul geot gatayo.Me too. I think this test will be too hard.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요. 같이 빨리 들어가요.Majayo. gat-i ppalli deureogayo.True. Let's go inside quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “test” translations and entries 시험, 테스트, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 시험, 테스트, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
