試験を受ける
take an exam
Wörtlich: to receive an exam
Use `試験を受ける` whenever you are the person sitting for an academic or professional test.
In 15 Sekunden
- Standard way to say 'taking a test' in Japanese.
- Uses the verb 'to receive' instead of 'to take'.
- Applicable for school, licenses, and professional certifications.
Bedeutung
This phrase is the standard way to say you are sitting for a test or exam. It literally means you are 'receiving' the challenge rather than 'taking' it like an object.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Discussing future plans with a teacher
来月、日本語能力試験を受けます。
I will take the JLPT next month.
Texting a friend about why you are busy
明日、大事な試験を受けるから、今日は勉強するね。
I'm taking an important exam tomorrow, so I'll study today.
Talking about a driver's license test
やっと運転免許の試験を受けることにした。
I finally decided to take the driver's license exam.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase reflects the high-stakes nature of the Japanese education system, often referred to as 'Exam Hell.' Taking an exam is seen as a significant life hurdle, often involving months of 'juku' (cram school) preparation. Interestingly, the verb 'ukeru' (to receive) suggests a sense of destiny or accepting a challenge from an authority.
The 'Ukeru' Logic
Think of 'ukeru' as 'undergoing' the test. It helps you remember not to use 'toru' (to take/grab).
Medical Confusion
Never use this for a COVID test or blood work. Use 'kensa' (inspection) for medical contexts instead.
In 15 Sekunden
- Standard way to say 'taking a test' in Japanese.
- Uses the verb 'to receive' instead of 'to take'.
- Applicable for school, licenses, and professional certifications.
What It Means
This phrase is your bread and butter for school life. It simply means you are sitting for an exam. In English, we say 'take' a test. Japanese speakers say they 'receive' (受ける) one. It feels like the test is a challenge being handed to you. You are the one undergoing the trial. It covers everything from small quizzes to huge entrance exams.
How To Use It
You pair the noun 試験 (exam) with the verb 受ける (to receive). Use the particle を to link them together. If you are talking to a teacher, use 受けます. With friends, you can just say 受ける. It is a very stable collocation. You will rarely see these words separated. It is like peanut butter and jelly for students.
When To Use It
Use this when discussing the JLPT or school midterms. It works for professional certifications too. Use it when you are nervous about a driver's license test. It is perfect for formal academic settings. You can also use it when texting friends about why you can't hang out. If there is a proctor and a timer, this is the phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for medical tests. For a blood test or X-ray, use 検査 (kensa). Avoid using it when you are the one giving the test. If you are the teacher, you 試験を出す (give/issue the exam). Do not use it for 'testing' a new product or software. That would be テストする or 試す (tamesu). Also, don't use it for 'trying out' for a team.
Cultural Background
Japan is famous for its 'Exam Hell' or 試験地獄. Entrance exams determine your entire future career path. Because of this, 試験を受ける carries a lot of weight. It is not just a school task; it is a life event. People often visit shrines before 'receiving' a major exam. They buy charms called 御守り (omamori) for success. The pressure is real, but the phrase remains neutral.
Common Variations
For casual classroom quizzes, you might say テストを受ける. If you are specifically taking an entrance exam, use 受験する (juken suru). This is a more formal, specific verb. You might also hear 試験に臨む (shiken ni nozomu). This means to 'face' or 'approach' an exam with serious intent. If you pass, you say 試験に受かる (shiken ni ukaru).
Nutzungshinweise
This is a neutral collocation suitable for all social levels. The main pitfall is using the English-influenced 'toru' (take) instead of the Japanese 'ukeru' (receive).
The 'Ukeru' Logic
Think of 'ukeru' as 'undergoing' the test. It helps you remember not to use 'toru' (to take/grab).
Medical Confusion
Never use this for a COVID test or blood work. Use 'kensa' (inspection) for medical contexts instead.
The KitKat Secret
Students often eat KitKats before 'receiving' an exam because 'Kitto Katsu' sounds like 'Surely Win' in Japanese!
Beispiele
6来月、日本語能力試験を受けます。
I will take the JLPT next month.
Using the polite form 'ukemasu' for a formal setting.
明日、大事な試験を受けるから、今日は勉強するね。
I'm taking an important exam tomorrow, so I'll study today.
Casual use of 'ukeru' in a daily conversation.
やっと運転免許の試験を受けることにした。
I finally decided to take the driver's license exam.
Commonly used for official licenses.
毎日、人生の試験を受けている気分だよ。
I feel like I'm taking the exam of life every day.
Metaphorical use of the phrase for comedic effect.
第一志望の試験を受けるのは、本当に緊張する。
Taking the exam for my top-choice school makes me really nervous.
Expresses the high emotional stakes of Japanese exams.
明日の数学の試験、受けるの？
Are you taking the math exam tomorrow?
A simple way to confirm someone's participation.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase 'take an exam'.
明日、大学の試験を___。
In Japanese, you 'receive' (ukemasu) an exam, you don't 'do' (shimasu) or 'take/grab' (torimasu) it.
Which noun fits best for a formal certification test?
来週、漢字検定の___を受ける予定です。
Shiken is the standard noun for an exam or certification test.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Taking an Exam'
Talking to friends or family.
試験受ける (shiken ukeru)
Standard polite conversation.
試験を受けます (shiken o ukemasu)
Academic or professional reporting.
試験を受験いたします (shiken o juken itashimasu)
When to say '試験を受ける'
University Entrance
Applying for a college spot.
Language Proficiency
Sitting for the JLPT.
Driver's License
At the DMV testing center.
Professional Certs
Getting a nursing or law license.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
11 FragenNo, that is a common mistake. 'Toru' means to physically grab something. Use 受ける (ukeru) instead.
試験 (shiken) is more formal and used for big exams. テスト (tesuto) is used for casual quizzes or school tests.
You say 試験に合格しました (shiken ni gōkaku shimashita) or 試験に受かりました (shiken ni ukarimashita).
It is more specific. 受験する (juken suru) is almost exclusively used for school entrance exams.
No, for an interview you say 面接を受ける (mensetsu o ukeru). The verb is the same, but the noun changes.
Use the object particle を (o). For example: 試験を受ける.
Yes, if you use the polite form 受けます (ukemasu), it is perfectly neutral and respectful.
You say 試験に落ちました (shiken ni ochimashita), which literally means 'fell off the exam'.
Only if you are the teacher! 試験をする means to conduct or give the exam to others.
It reflects a cultural mindset of receiving a task or challenge from an institution or authority figure.
Not really, but students might just say 今日、シケンだ (Today is the exam) to skip the verb entirely.
Verwandte Redewendungen
受験する
to sit for an entrance exam
試験に受かる
to pass an exam
再試験
a retake or makeup exam
模試
a mock or practice exam
カンニングする
to cheat on an exam
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