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March 24, 2026
考(攷)kǎo(kao3)
The character 考 (kǎo) primarily means 'to test' or 'to examine,' commonly used in the context of taking exams or assessing knowledge. It can also imply a deeper inspection or investigation of something, making it versatile in both educational and evaluative contexts. Additionally, it can refer to a deceased father in certain expressions, reflecting its nuanced meanings in different contexts.
Strokes6Radical耂Frequency#2820DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, exams are of significant importance, often determining one's educational and career paths, making the character 考 particularly relevant. The rigorous exam system, including the gaokao, is a cultural cornerstone that reflects society's emphasis on academic achievement.
Memory tip
Imagine a teacher with a giant pencil, 'beating' down on a student who is nervously preparing for an exam. The character 考 has the radical '毛' (máo), resembling hair, which can remind you of the stress of testing as it metaphorically 'grows' during exam season.
Meanings of 考
kǎo(kao3)
1to beat
2to hit
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 考 means.
About 考
考Simplified
攷Traditional
6Strokes
耂Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2820Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 考
Podcast: 考
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AI study notes for 考
Quick Contrast
考 (kǎo) vs 试 (shì) — use 考 when referring specifically to formal tests or examinations, while 试 is more general and can refer to trying out or testing something.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 考 with similar-sounding words like 看 (kàn, to see) and 了 (le, a completed action marker). It is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in educational settings. Common collocations include 考试 (kǎoshì, exam) and 考虑 (kǎolǜ, to consider).
HSK Study Tips
Although not listed in the HSK levels, 考 is relevant for HSK 3 and above, as students encounter more complex vocabulary related to education and assessment. Focus on its collocations and usage in sentences to strengthen understanding.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is using 考 in informal contexts, where learners might say '我考你' (Wǒ kǎo nǐ) intending to say 'I'll test you,' which sounds overly formal. Instead, use '我考你一下' (Wǒ kǎo nǐ yīxià) for a casual approach.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 考
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 考 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 耂 represents the meaning and 丂 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "elderly father". The meaning later shifted to "examine" and "test".
考 = 耂 + 丂. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 考
IDS Structure⿸耂丂
考Full character
=
耂lao3
enclosing
丂kao3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 考?
How to say to beat in Chinese
“to beat” in Chinese is考kǎo
The character 考 (kǎo) primarily means 'to test' or 'to examine,' commonly used in the context of taking exams or assessing knowledge. It can also imply a deeper inspection or investigation of something, making it versatile in both educational and evaluative contexts. Additionally, it can refer to a deceased father in certain expressions, reflecting its nuanced meanings in different contexts.
When to use 考
Learners often confuse 考 with similar-sounding words like 看 (kàn, to see) and 了 (le, a completed action marker). It is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in educational settings. Common collocations include 考试 (kǎoshì, exam) and 考虑 (kǎolǜ, to consider).
考 or something close to it
考 (kǎo) vs 试 (shì) — use 考 when referring specifically to formal tests or examinations, while 试 is more general and can refer to trying out or testing something.
What learners get wrong
A frequent error is using 考 in informal contexts, where learners might say '我考你' (Wǒ kǎo nǐ) intending to say 'I'll test you,' which sounds overly formal. Instead, use '我考你一下' (Wǒ kǎo nǐ yīxià) for a casual approach.
Write 考
考
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Grammar patterns of 考
考 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
