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Kotomora

試

test, try, attempt, experiment, ordeal

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 500Strokes13

Readings

On'yomi

  • シ

Kun'yomi

  • こころ.みる
  • ため.す

Meaning

試 centers on putting something to the proof: testing, trying, or experimenting to see if it works or holds up. The ordeal sense is a severe form of testing.

Most common words using 試

24 of 356
  • 試しためし
    N3

    trial; test; try

  • 試合しあい
    N5

    match; game; bout; contest

  • 試験しけん
    N4

    examination; exam; test

  • 試みこころみ
    N1

    attempt; trial; experiment

  • 試すためす
    N3

    to try (out); to have a try (at); to test; to put to the test

  • 入試にゅうし
    N1

    entrance examination

  • 試作しさく
    N1

    trial manufacture; experiment; test piece; prototype

  • 試練しれん

    test; trial; ordeal; tribulation

  • 試みるこころみる
    N2

    to try; to attempt; to have a go (at)

  • 試行しこう

    making an attempt; trial run

  • 試行錯誤しこうさくご
    N1

    trial and error

  • 試算しさん

    trial calculation; preliminary calculation; estimation

  • 試着しちゃく
    N3

    trying on clothes

  • 試食ししょく
    N2

    sampling food; tasting; trying

  • 試写ししゃ

    preview; private showing

  • 試運転しうんてん

    trial run; test run

  • 試料しりょう

    sample; specimen; test piece

  • 試薬しやく

    reagent

  • 試験場しけんじょう

    examination hall; examination room

  • 試金石しきんせき

    touchstone (assaying tool)

  • 試案しあん

    tentative plan; draft plan

  • 力試しちからだめし
    N1

    test of one's strength; test of one's ability

  • 国家試験こっかしけん

    state examination; national examination

  • 試験的しけんてき

    experimental; provisional

Explore all words using 試 →

Study

Etymology

試 combines 言 (speech, words) with 式, which likely contributes the sound and carries a sense of pattern or standard. The idea is testing or examining through words or a set form.

Meaning mnemonic

Words 言 are used to set a standard 式 for testing. Picture an examiner reading out a test script to try someone's knowledge.

Reading mnemonic

For シ, imagine a teacher saying 'She passed the test!' — 'She' cues シ, and the test is the 試.