试試 shì — to try, to have a go at
shì (fourth tone, falling)shi4
Traditional: 試
to try, to have a go at
HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 3· Three-band, nine-level standardverb
Meanings
to try, to have a go at
To do something once in order to find out — try on a shirt, try a dish, try again after failing. It is almost always softened: 试试, 试一下, never a bare 试 on its own.
verb
Example sentences
- 这件衣服你试一下吧。這件衣服你試一下吧。Zhè (fourth tone, falling) jiàn (fourth tone, falling) yīfu (first tone, high and level) nǐ (third tone, dipping) shì (fourth tone, falling) yíxià (second tone, rising) ba. (neutral tone)···
Try this piece on.
- 你再试试，一定可以。你再試試，一定可以。Nǐ (third tone, dipping) zài (fourth tone, falling) shìshi, (fourth tone, falling) yídìng (second tone, rising) kěyǐ. (third tone, dipping)···
Have another go — you’ll manage it.
Common mistakes
Not quite明天我有一个试。
Correct明天我有一个考试。
试 is the verb "to try". The examination you sit is 考试, a noun. The shared character misleads: 试 alone never names the test.