小试 (xiǎo shì) — to have a preliminary try; to make a casual trial
Definition
A formal set-phrase verb meaning to try something out briefly, usually as a small test of one's skill. It pairs tightly with 牛刀 (小试牛刀 = to show a fraction of one's ability).
verb
to have a preliminary tryto make a casual trial
Examples
- 。Zhè cì bǐ sài duì tā lái shuō zhǐ shì xiǎo shì niú dāo.This competition is just a small show of his skill.
- 小试。Tā xiǎng xiǎo shì yí xià zì jǐ de shǒu yì.He wants to try out his skills a little.
- 小试，。Wǒ xiān xiǎo shì, kàn kàn xiào guǒ rú hé.I'll have a little try first and see how it works.
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