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尝试 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
尝试
chángshì
to try
HSK 5, vn, 17 strokes, rank #1383, Hard
尝试
chángshì
to attempt
HSK 5, vn, 17 strokes, rank #1383, Hard
chángshì(chang2shi4)chang shi T2
1to try
2to attempt
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March 24, 2026
尝试(嘗試)chángshì(chang2shi4)
尝试 (chángshì) means 'to try' or 'to attempt,' often used in contexts where one is making an effort to do something new or challenging. It conveys a sense of exploration or experimentation, whether in learning, cooking, or tackling a project. This word is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
Strokes17Frequency#1383DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, attempting something new is often viewed positively, reflecting a growth mindset. The phrase 尝试 (chángshì) is frequently used in educational settings, encouraging students to experiment and learn from mistakes rather than fear failure.
Memory tip
Imagine a chef (尝) tasting (试) a new dish for the first time. The character 尝 has the radical for ‘to taste,’ and when combined with 试, which means ‘to test,’ it forms the idea of trying something out. Visualize the chef's determination to create a masterpiece, symbolizing the essence of attempting something new.
Meanings of 尝试
chángshì(chang2shi4)
1to try
2to attempt
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About 尝试
尝试Simplified
嘗試Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#1383Frequency Rank
次Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 尝试
Podcast: 尝试
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AI study notes for 尝试
Quick Contrast
尝试 (chángshì) vs 尝 (cháng) — use 尝试 when emphasizing the act of attempting something new, while 尝 is specifically about tasting.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 尝试 with 试图 (shìtú), which means 'to attempt' but carries a more intentional connotation. Common collocations include 尝试新事物 (chángshì xīn shìwù - try new things) and 尝试做某事 (chángshì zuò mǒushì - attempt to do something). The third tone in 尝 (cháng) may get mispronounced as a second tone, so pay attention to the tonal differences.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 尝试 connects to advanced vocabulary regarding actions and intentions. Students should focus on using this word in various contexts, such as discussing personal experiences or professional endeavors, to enhance their speaking and writing skills.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 尝试 with 试 (shì), which means 'to try' in a more limited sense, without the exploratory nuance. For example, saying '我试这道菜' (Wǒ shì zhè dào cài) implies merely trying a dish, while '我尝试这道菜' (Wǒ chángshì zhè dào cài) conveys the idea of making an effort to experience it.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 尝试
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尝试 (chángshì) means 'to try' or 'to attempt,' often used in contexts where one is making an effort to do something new or challenging. It conveys a sense of exploration or experimentation, whether in learning, cooking, or tackling a project. This word is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
When to use 尝试
Be careful not to confuse 尝试 with 试图 (shìtú), which means 'to attempt' but carries a more intentional connotation. Common collocations include 尝试新事物 (chángshì xīn shìwù - try new things) and 尝试做某事 (chángshì zuò mǒushì - attempt to do something). The third tone in 尝 (cháng) may get mispronounced as a second tone, so pay attention to the tonal differences.
尝试 or something close to it
尝试 (chángshì) vs 尝 (cháng) — use 尝试 when emphasizing the act of attempting something new, while 尝 is specifically about tasting.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 尝试 with 试 (shì), which means 'to try' in a more limited sense, without the exploratory nuance. For example, saying '我试这道菜' (Wǒ shì zhè dào cài) implies merely trying a dish, while '我尝试这道菜' (Wǒ chángshì zhè dào cài) conveys the idea of making an effort to experience it.
Write 尝试
尝
试
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Grammar patterns of 尝试
尝试 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 2 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.
