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试验 (shì yàn) — to experiment; to test

Definition

试验 emphasizes testing a method, machine, or product to see if it works, often through trial. Compared to 试 ('try out, give it a go'), 试验 is more systematic and technical; 实验 is the more scientific/academic counterpart.

verb
to experimentto test
Measure word · 次, 个

Examples

  • 试验。
    Wǒ men shì yàn le xīn fāng fǎ.
    We tested the new method.
  • 试验。
    Tā zhèng zài shì yàn zhè ge jī qì.
    He is testing this machine.
  • 试验。
    Qǐng shì yàn yí xià zhè ge gōng néng.
    Please test this function.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

试shìtry
验yànverify

试 ('try') and 验 ('verify') together mean to test something.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
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.

Open 试 →

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 驗; 验 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
馬馬mǎ
Sound part声符shēngfú
僉
僉qiān驗yàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 驗 pairs 馬 (horse) with 僉 for sound; the simplified 验 is a later abbreviation.

Open 验 →
Appears in
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