Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| bài thi | |
| khảo thí | [xaːw˧˩ tʰi˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kʰaːw˧˨ tʰɪj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
The term bài thi refers to the physical or conceptual examination itself. If you want to describe the act of taking a test, the common verb phrase is đi thi. Related terms include đưa bài thi for administering an examination during an academic term, and thử or thử thách when meaning to challenge someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The term bài thi is composed of bài (meaning lesson, article or paper) and thi (meaning to take an exam or to compete), literally translating to an exam paper.
Which one should you use?
While bài thi refers to the specific exam or paper, khảo thí is used to refer to the formal process or system of testing and assessment.
Related words
What mistakes should you avoid?
In Vietnamese, you use làm bài thi (to do the exam paper) or đi thi (to go to the exam) to express the action of sitting for an examination.
Did you know?
- Because of its Sino-Vietnamese roots, the word thi can also be a homophone for the word meaning 'poetry' in other contexts.
- The word bài can be used to mean a 'card' in games, a 'lesson' in school, or even a 'paper' in an exam, depending on the context.
- The word bài in the context of an exam has a Sino-Vietnamese origin that can also refer to 'arranging' or 'ordering' things.
Examples in context
- Tom đã mắc nhiều lỗi sai hơn tôi trong bài thi.Tom made more mistakes in the test than I did.This sentence shows how to use bài thi when discussing mistakes made during an examination.Tatoeba #14034981 by leucammieuvu, translation #14033720 by Ergulis
- Bạn đã làm xong bài test chưa?Have you finished the test?
- Hôm nay chúng ta sẽ có bài test nói tiếng Anh.Today, we will have an English speaking test.
- Anh ấy hôm trước đã rớt đề thi Toán.He failed the Math test the other day.
- Đề thi cuối kỳ khá khó nhưng tôi đã hoàn thành nó.The final exam was quite difficult, but I managed to complete it.
- Bài thi hôm nay rất khó.Today's exam was very difficult.
- Tôi cần ôn tập cho bài thi cuối kỳ.I need to study for the final exam.
Example conversation
Two students are talking in the library about their upcoming schedule.
- MaiMinh ơi, cậu đã chuẩn bị cho bài thi chưa?Minh, have you prepared for the exam?
- MinhTớ vẫn đang ôn tập, Mai ạ.I am still reviewing, Mai.
- MaiTớ lo quá, bài thi này quan trọng lắm.I'm so worried, this exam is very important.
- MinhĐừng lo, chúng ta cùng cố gắng nhé.Don't worry, let's both do our best.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “test” translations and entries khảo thí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
