試: the kanji for test and try
試 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means test, try. Below are its readings, 11 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
試 is written in 13 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
試 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 11 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シ (shi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 試験しけん · shiken | exam |
| 試合しあい · shiai | match; game |
| 入試にゅうし · nyūshi | entrance exam |
| 試着しちゃく · shichaku | trying on (clothes) |
| 試食ししょく · shishoku | free sample; tasting |
| 試作しさく · shisaku | prototype |
| 追試ついし · tsuishi | makeup exam |
こころみる (kokoromiru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 試みるこころみる · kokoromiru | to try; to attempt |
| 試みこころみ · kokoromi | attempt |
ためす (tamesu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 試すためす · tamesu | to try out |
| 試しためし · tameshi | trial |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 来月、日本語の試験を受けます。Raigetsu, Nihongo no shiken o ukemasu.I'm taking a Japanese exam next month.
- 試着してもいいですか。Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka.May I try this on?
- 新しい方法を試してみましょう。Atarashii hōhō o tameshite mimashō.Let's try out the new method.
- 週末に野球の試合を見に行きます。Shūmatsu ni yakyū no shiai o mi ni ikimasu.I'm going to see a baseball game on the weekend.
- 試作品ができました。Shisakuhin ga dekimashita.The prototype is ready.
- この試みは初めてです。Kono kokoromi wa hajimete desu.This is the first time we've tried this.
Questions about 試
How many strokes does 試 have?
試 is written in 13 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 試?
The on readings are shi (シ). The kun readings are kokoromiru (こころみる), tamesu (ためす).
What is 試食 in a Japanese supermarket?
試食 (shishoku) are free food samples. Staff at department store food floors and supermarkets often offer them with ご試食いかがですか (go-shishoku ikaga desu ka), "Would you like to try a sample?"
What JLPT level is 試?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Study and thinking
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 試
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.