A1 noun Neutral #3,205 most common

試験

shiken /ɕikeɴ/

A formal examination or test used to evaluate a person's knowledge, skill, or ability in a specific subject. It is commonly used in schools, universities, and professional settings to determine progress or qualification.

Examples

3 of 5
1

明日は日本語の試験があります。

There is a Japanese exam tomorrow.

2

入学試験の結果は来週発表されます。

The results of the entrance examination will be announced next week.

3

今日の試験、難しかったね。

Today's test was hard, wasn't it?

Word Family

Noun
試験
Verb
試験する
Related
受験
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the first kanji (試) as 'try' and the second (験) as 'verification'. An exam is where you 'try' to 'verify' what you know.

Quick Quiz

来週、日本語の____を受けます。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 試験

Examples

1

明日は日本語の試験があります。

everyday

There is a Japanese exam tomorrow.

2

入学試験の結果は来週発表されます。

formal

The results of the entrance examination will be announced next week.

3

今日の試験、難しかったね。

informal

Today's test was hard, wasn't it?

4

期末試験の範囲を確認してください。

academic

Please confirm the scope of the final examination.

5

新しい製品の性能を試験しています。

business

We are testing the performance of the new product.

Word Family

Noun
試験
Verb
試験する
Related
受験

Common Collocations

試験を受ける to take an exam
試験に合格する to pass an exam
試験に落ちる to fail an exam
試験勉強をする to study for an exam
試験監督 exam proctor/invigilator

Common Phrases

試験に出る

to appear on a test

実力試験

proficiency test

国家試験

national examination

Often Confused With

試験 vs テスト

'Test' is more informal and used for short classroom quizzes, while 'shiken' implies a more formal or high-stakes examination.

試験 vs 調査

'Chousa' means a survey or investigation to gather data, not a test to grade a person's ability.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'shiken' for major exams like final exams, JLPT, or entrance exams. For a casual quiz in a textbook, 'test' (テスト) is more appropriate.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'shiken suru' to mean 'to take a test,' but 'shiken wo ukeru' is the correct way to say a student is taking an exam. 'Shiken suru' usually means the act of examining or testing someone else.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the first kanji (試) as 'try' and the second (験) as 'verification'. An exam is where you 'try' to 'verify' what you know.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Chinese, combining 'shi' (to try/test) and 'ken' (effect/sign/verification).

Grammar Patterns

Noun + を受ける (to take a test) Noun + に合格する (to pass a test) Can function as a suru-verb: 試験する (to test/examine something)
🌍

Cultural Context

In Japan, 'entrance exams' (juken) are culturally significant events that define a student's future, often referred to as 'examination hell'.

Quick Quiz

来週、日本語の____を受けます。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 試験

Related Words

unknown

A1

A student attending a university or college for higher education. In Japan, it specifically refers to undergraduate students in a four-year university or a two-year junior college.

革命

A1

A fundamental and sudden change in political power or social structure, often involving a shift in governance. It also refers to a major, transformative shift in technology, thought, or a specific field that completely alters how things are done.

維持

A1

The act of keeping something in its current state, condition, or level over a period of time. It is commonly used to describe the maintenance of health, systems, relationships, or the status quo.

縮小

A1

The act of reducing the size, scale, or scope of something. It is commonly used when talking about downsizing operations, shrinking digital images, or narrowing the range of a project.

契約

A1

A legally binding agreement between two or more parties that specifies terms and conditions. It is commonly used for mobile phones, apartment rentals, and employment agreements.

取引

A1

A transaction or business deal involving the exchange of money, goods, or services. It refers to the process of doing business with another party or making a trade.

借金

A1

A sum of money that is borrowed from a person or an institution and is expected to be paid back. It refers to the state of owing money or the specific amount of debt accumulated.

予算

A1

A budget or an estimate of the amount of money available for a specific purpose. It refers to the financial plan or limit set before spending occurs in personal, business, or government contexts.

賃金

A1

Chingin refers to the money paid to a worker in exchange for labor or services, similar to wages. It is frequently used in formal, legal, and economic contexts, particularly when discussing minimum wage or labor statistics.

降格

A1

A noun or verb that describes a reduction in rank, status, or position within an organization or sports league. It is most commonly used when a worker is moved to a lower job title or when a sports team is moved to a lower division due to poor performance.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free