试图 (shì tú) — to attempt, to try | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

试图 is a formal, written 'to attempt' — stronger and more deliberate than 试 or 尝试 ('to try'). Unlike 企图, it carries no negative implication.

verb

to attemptto try

Examples

试图。
Tā shì tú jiě shì zì jǐ de xíng wéi.
He attempted to explain his own behavior.
试图，。
Wǒ shì tú lián xì tā, dàn diàn huà dǎ bù tōng.
I tried to contact him, but the phone couldn't get through.
试图。
Kē xué jiā shì tú jiě jué zhè ge nán tí.
The scientist attempted to solve this difficult problem.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

图túattempt

试 and 图 both convey trying, so together they mean to make an attempt.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 試; 试 is its simplified writing.

言式試

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

式

式shì試shì

Same sound today

The traditional form 試 puts 言 beside 式, and 式 gives the sound; the simplified 试 is the form of this character.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 圖; 图 is its simplified writing.

囗啚圖

囗囗wéiwalled city
啚啚bǐ

The traditional form 圖 pairs 囗, a walled city, with 啚, an early form meaning remote areas or territory. The simplified 图 is a later abbreviation.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Will & Intention 2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words 3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words 5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.