kǎoshì: 考试 - Exam, Test, Examination

• Keywords: kaoshi, 考试, Chinese exam, Chinese test, Gaokao, HSK exam, what does kaoshi mean, how to say test in Chinese, pass an exam in Chinese, exam culture in China, taking a test in Chinese
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 考试 (kǎoshì), the essential Chinese word for “exam” or “test.” This guide goes beyond a simple translation, exploring the deep cultural significance of examinations in China, from the high-stakes 高考 (gāokǎo) college entrance exam to everyday school quizzes. Learn how to use 考试 (kǎoshì) correctly in conversation, understand its connection to concepts of success and pressure, and see why it's a cornerstone of the Chinese education system.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kǎo shì
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: A test or examination to assess a person's knowledge or ability.
• In a Nutshell: 考试 (kǎoshì) is the go-to word for any formal assessment, from a weekly vocabulary quiz to a life-altering university entrance exam. While it translates directly to “test” or “exam,” it often carries a heavier cultural weight in Chinese than in English, reflecting a system where performance on a single 考试 can profoundly shape one's future. It can be used as a noun (“the exam”) or a verb (“to take an exam”).

• 考 (kǎo): This character means “to test,” “to examine,” or “to check.” Think of a teacher scrutinizing a student's work. It forms the core action of the word.
• 试 (shì): This character means “to try” or “to test.” The left part, `讠(yán)`, is the “speech” radical, hinting at early oral examinations or questioning. The right part, `式 (shì)`, provides the sound.
• Together, 考 (kǎo) and 试 (shì) create a compound word that literally means “to examine by trying/testing,” which perfectly captures the concept of a formal examination.

The concept of 考试 (kǎoshì) is arguably one of the most important cultural pillars of modern China, with roots stretching back over a thousand years to the imperial civil service examinations, or 科举 (kējǔ). This ancient system allowed commoners to achieve high-ranking government positions through meritocratic, albeit incredibly difficult, exams. This has instilled a deep-seated belief in the power of examinations as a tool for social mobility. Today, this legacy is most apparent in the 高考 (gāokǎo), China's national college entrance examination.

• Comparison with the West: While American students apply to college using a portfolio of achievements (SAT/ACT scores, GPA, extracurriculars, essays), a Chinese student's fate largely rests on their score from the single, two-day 高考 (gāokǎo). This single 考试 determines which university they can attend, what major they can study, and by extension, their entire career path and social standing. The pressure on students, families, and even entire communities during this period is immense.

This exam-centric culture means that 考试 (kǎoshì) is not just a school activity; it's a societal phenomenon. It embodies values of hard work, enduring hardship (吃苦 - chīkǔ), and the hope of achieving success for oneself and one's family.

考试 (kǎoshì) is a ubiquitous term used in various contexts, both formally and informally.

• As a Noun: When used as a noun, it refers to the event itself. It often requires a measure word, like 场 (chǎng) or 次 (cì).
  • `今天下午有一场考试。` (Jīntiān xiàwǔ yǒu yì chǎng kǎoshì.) - There is an exam this afternoon.
• As a Verb: When used as a verb, it means “to take a test.” It's a verb-object construction, where `考` is the verb and `试` is the object, but they are almost always used together.
  • `我明天要考试。` (Wǒ míngtiān yào kǎoshì.) - I have an exam tomorrow (lit. I will take an exam tomorrow).
• In School: This is the most common context. You'll hear about 期中考试 (qīzhōng kǎoshì) for midterms and 期末考试 (qīmò kǎoshì) for final exams.
• In the Workplace: Job applications often involve a 笔试 (bǐshì), a written test, and a 面试 (miànshì), an interview (literally “face test”).
• On Social Media: Young people often post about the stress of 考试, using memes and slang to share their collective experience of “exam season.” The feeling is universally understood.

• Example 1:
  • 我明天有中文考试。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ míngtiān yǒu Zhōngwén kǎoshì.
  • English: I have a Chinese exam tomorrow.
  • Analysis: A simple, common sentence using 考试 as a noun to state a fact.
• Example 2:
  • 祝你考试顺利！
  • Pinyin: Zhù nǐ kǎoshì shùnlì!
  • English: Hope your exam goes smoothly! / Good luck on your exam!
  • Analysis: This is a very common way to wish someone good luck on a test. `顺利 (shùnlì)` means “smoothly.”
• Example 3:
  • 这次考试太难了，我可能不及格。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì kǎoshì tài nán le, wǒ kěnéng bù jígé.
  • English: This exam was too difficult, I might not pass.
  • Analysis: `这次 (zhè cì)` means “this time.” This sentence shows how to express feelings about an exam's difficulty. `不及格 (bù jígé)` is the specific term for “to fail.”
• Example 4:
  • 为了准备考试，他每天学习到深夜。
  • Pinyin: Wèile zhǔnbèi kǎoshì, tā měitiān xuéxí dào shēnyè.
  • English: In order to prepare for the exam, he studies late into the night every day.
  • Analysis: `为了 (wèile)` means “in order to,” showing the purpose of an action. This sentence highlights the hard work associated with 考试.
• Example 5:
  • 你考试考得怎么样？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kǎoshì kǎo de zěnmeyàng?
  • English: How did you do on your exam?
  • Analysis: A key pattern for asking about performance. The verb `考` is repeated, with `得 (de)` in between, to ask about the quality of the action.
• Example 6:
  • 老师下个星期要考试。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī xià ge xīngqī yào kǎoshì.
  • English: The teacher is going to give a test next week.
  • Analysis: This is a bit ambiguous and a common learner phrasing. While understandable, a more native way for a teacher giving a test would be `老师下周要考我们 (lǎoshī xiàzhōu yào kǎo wǒmen)` meaning “The teacher is going to test us next week.” This example shows how 考试 is often used from the test-taker's perspective.
• Example 7:
  • 他通过了驾驶考试，现在可以开车了。
  • Pinyin: Tā tōngguò le jiàshǐ kǎoshì, xiànzài kěyǐ kāichē le.
  • English: He passed the driving test and can drive now.
  • Analysis: `通过 (tōngguò)` is a common verb meaning “to pass” an exam or a proposal. `驾驶 (jiàshǐ)` means “driving.”
• Example 8:
  • 考试的时候不准用手机。
  • Pinyin: Kǎoshì de shíhou bù zhǔn yòng shǒujī.
  • English: You are not allowed to use your phone during the exam.
  • Analysis: `…的时候 (…de shíhou)` means “during…” or “when…”. `不准 (bù zhǔn)` is a strong “not allowed.”
• Example 9:
  • 如果这次考试失败了，你还有一次补考的机会。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ zhè cì kǎoshì shībài le, nǐ hái yǒu yí cì bǔkǎo de jīhuì.
  • English: If you fail this exam, you still have a chance for a make-up exam.
  • Analysis: `补考 (bǔkǎo)` is a very useful related term, meaning “make-up exam.”
• Example 10:
  • 高考是中国学生最重要的一次考试。
  • Pinyin: Gāokǎo shì Zhōngguó xuéshēng zuì zhòngyào de yí cì kǎoshì.
  • English: The Gaokao is the most important exam for Chinese students.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly links 考试 to the important cultural concept of the 高考 (gāokǎo).

• `考试` vs. `测验 (cèyàn)`: This is a key distinction.
  • 考试 (kǎoshì): A major, formal examination. Think midterms, finals, HSK, Gaokao. It has significant consequences.
  • 测验 (cèyàn): A smaller test or quiz. Think a weekly vocabulary quiz or a chapter test. It has less weight.
  • Incorrect: `我今天有一个小小的考试。` (While grammatically okay, it's less natural).
  • Correct: `我今天有一个小测验。` (Wǒ jīntiān yǒu yí ge xiǎo cèyàn.) - I have a small quiz today.
• Who is “testing” whom? English speakers often make mistakes when describing a teacher giving a test.
  • Incorrect: `老师考试学生。` (Lǎoshī kǎoshì xuéshēng.)
  • Correct: `老师考学生。` (Lǎoshī kǎo xuéshēng.) - The teacher tests the students. (Using just `考` as the verb).
  • Correct: `老师给学生们考试。` (Lǎoshī gěi xuéshēngmen kǎoshì.) - The teacher gives the students an exam.
• Verb or Noun? Remember that 考试 can act as its own verb meaning “to take an exam.” You don't need to add another verb like `做 (zuò)` or `拿 (ná)`.
  • Incorrect: `我明天要做一个考试。` (Wǒ míngtiān yào zuò yí ge kǎoshì.) - Overly literal translation of “do an exam.”
  • Correct: `我明天要考试。` (Wǒ míngtiān yào kǎoshì.)

• 高考 (gāokǎo) - The National College Entrance Examination, the most important 考试 in China.
• 测验 (cèyàn) - A smaller quiz or test; less formal and less consequential than a 考试.
• 成绩 (chéngjì) - The grade, score, or result of an exam.
• 及格 (jígé) - To pass an exam (literally “reach the standard”).
• 补考 (bǔkǎo) - A make-up exam after failing.
• 考生 (kǎoshēng) - An examinee; the person taking the test.
• 面试 (miànshì) - An interview (literally “face test”), a common form of oral examination for jobs or school admissions.
• 笔试 (bǐshì) - A written exam (literally “pen test”), as opposed to an oral one.
• 期末考试 (qīmò kǎoshì) - A final exam (at the “end of the term”).
• 作弊 (zuòbì) - To cheat on an exam.