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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 试 (shì) to express "to try"

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Subject + 试 + 了 + (试) + Object

    Explanation

    试 (shì) is a verb meaning "to try" or "to attempt." It is often used with 了 to indicate that an attempt was made. For example, 他试了试门 means "He tried the door."

    Examples

    • 你可以先试一下这双鞋合不合脚。

      Nǐ kěyǐ xiān shì yīxià zhè shuāng xié hé bù hé jiǎo.

      You can try these shoes first to see if they fit.

    • 我试了好几次，还是打不开这个瓶盖。

      Wǒ shì le hǎo jǐ cì, háishì dǎ bù kāi zhège píng gài.

      I tried several times but still couldn't open this bottle cap.

    • 她试了试水温，觉得刚刚好。

      Tā shì le shì shuǐwēn, juéde gānggāng hǎo.

      She tested the water temperature and felt it was just right.

    Using 试 (shì) to express "to try" | Chinese Grammar