試 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

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What does 試 mean in Japanese?

試 means to try, test, or attempt. Its most important word for learners is 試験 (shiken, an exam), and its kun’yomi 試す (tamesu, to try/test something) is an everyday verb.

The on’yomi シ appears in 試験 (exam), 試合 (shiai, a match/game), and 入試 (nyuushi, entrance exam). The kun’yomi こころ-みる (to attempt) and ため-す (to try out) cover the native-verb side. 試 combines 言 (words) with 式 (a formula/way) — to put something to the test.

Reading

On’yomi: シ (shi)

Kun’yomi: こころ-みる (kokoro-miru), ため-す (tame-su)

Basic Information

Kanji 試
Meaning try, test, attempt
Stroke Count 13
JLPT Level N4

How to Understand This Kanji

試験 (shiken) is the standard word for a formal exam or test — 試験を受ける (take an exam), 試験に合格する (pass an exam). 試合 (shiai) is a sports match or game, so despite sharing 試 it is a very different context. The kun’yomi 試す (tamesu) means to try something out or put it to the test: 力を試す (test one’s ability), 新しい方法を試す (try a new method). 試みる (kokoromiru) is a more formal ‘to attempt’. 試着 (shichaku) is trying on clothes in a shop, and 入試 (nyuushi) is short for 入学試験 (entrance examination), a huge event in Japanese school life.

Common Words

  • 試験（しけん / shiken） — exam, test
  • 試合（しあい / shiai） — a match, a game (sports)
  • 試す（ためす / tamesu） — to try, to test (something)
  • 試みる（こころみる / kokoromiru） — to attempt, to try
  • 試着（しちゃく / shichaku） — trying on (clothes)
  • 入試（にゅうし / nyuushi） — entrance exam

Example Sentences

  • 来週、数学の試験があります。

    らいしゅう、すうがくのしけんがあります。 / Raishuu, suugaku no shiken ga arimasu.

    Next week there is a math exam.

  • 新しい方法を試してみましょう。

    あたらしいほうほうをためしてみましょう。 / Atarashii houhou o tameshite mimashou.

    Let’s try the new method.

  • 兄は大学の入試に合格しました。

    あにはだいがくのにゅうしにごうかくしました。 / Ani wa daigaku no nyuushi ni goukaku shimashita.

    My older brother passed the university entrance exam.

Related Kanji

  • 験

    — Test/verify — 試験 (exam) = 試 + 験; the two kanji together make the everyday word for an examination

  • 問

    — Question — 試験問題 (exam questions) joins 試験 and 問題; the questions on a 試験 are 問題, tying the two words together

  • 答

    — Answer — an exam (試験) tests whether you can 答える (answer); trying and answering go hand in hand in the study cycle

When Learners Usually See This Kanji

試 pairs with 験 to make 試験 (shiken), the exam word you will use constantly. Read it shiken, and remember the natural collocations: 試験を受ける (sit an exam), 試験に合格する / 落ちる (pass / fail).

Don’t be surprised that 試合 (shiai, a sports match) also uses 試 — here it joins 合 (fit/meet) to mean a contest where sides ‘try’ each other. Same kanji, sports context.

The kun’yomi 試す (tamesu) means to try something to see how it works or how good it is: 味を試す (taste-test), 力を試す (test your strength). Keep it distinct from やってみる (to give something a go): 試す emphasises testing or evaluating, not just attempting.

Summary

試 means to try or test, anchored by 試験 (shiken, exam) and the verb 試す (tamesu, to try out). Note 試合 (a sports match) uses the same kanji in a very different context.