Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to take an exam' with 考试 (kǎoshì)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Subject + 考试

    Explanation

    考试 (kǎoshì) means "to take an exam" when used as a verb, and "an exam" when used as a noun. It is one of the most common words in academic contexts. You can say 参加考试 (participate in an exam) or simply 考试 to mean "to take a test."

    Examples

    • 明天要考试,我今晚得好好复习。

      Míngtiān yào kǎoshì, wǒ jīnwǎn děi hǎohāo fùxí.

      There's an exam tomorrow, so I need to review well tonight.

    • 她每次考试都能拿第一名。

      Tā měi cì kǎoshì dōu néng ná dìyī míng.

      She gets first place on every exam.

    • 下周我们有一场数学考试。

      Xià zhōu wǒmen yǒu yì chǎng shùxué kǎoshì.

      We have a math exam next week.

    Expressing 'to take an exam' with 考试 (kǎoshì) | Chinese Grammar