verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 試驗
shì yàn
to test · to experiment · experiment · trial

Meaning

试验 refers to a scientific or practical test conducted to discover something unknown, examine a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact. It emphasizes the systematic process of testing under controlled conditions, often in scientific, technical, or practical contexts.

Usage

Native speakers use 试验 primarily in formal or technical contexts, such as scientific research, engineering tests, or product development. It's more formal than 试一试 (to give it a try). Common in phrases like 做试验 (to conduct an experiment) and 试验结果 (test results). Often used interchangeably with 实验, though 试验 slightly emphasizes practical testing while 实验 leans toward scientific experimentation.

Examples

  1. 01
    科学家们正在进行一项新药的临床试验
    Kēxuéjiāmen zhèngzài jìnxíng xiàng xīn yào de línchuáng shìyàn.
    Scientists are conducting a clinical trial of a new drug.
  2. 02
    这个设计需要经过反复试验才能确定可行性。
    Zhège shèjì xūyào jīngguò fǎnfù shìyàn cái néng quèdìng kěxíngxìng.
    This design needs to go through repeated testing to determine its feasibility.

Characters

Measure words

  • 做了三次试验
  • xiàng一项试验

Common collocations

  • 试验
    zuò shì yàn
    to conduct an experiment
  • 试验结果
    shì yàn jié guǒ
    test results
  • 临床试验
    lín chuáng shì yàn
    clinical trial
  • 试验阶段
    shì yàn jiē duàn
    experimental stage

Origin

Both characters relate to testing: 试 originally depicted words/speech under examination, while 验 combines 马 (horse) with a phonetic component, originally meaning to inspect horses but extended to mean verification in general.

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