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试图 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
试图
shìtú
to attempt
HSK 6, v, 16 strokes, rank #1125, Hard
试图
shìtú
to try
HSK 6, v, 16 strokes, rank #1125, Hard
shìtú(shi4tu2)shi tu T4
1to attempt
2to try
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March 24, 2026
试图(試圖)shìtú(shi4tu2)
试图 (shìtú) means 'to attempt' or 'to try' and is often used in contexts where one is making an effort to achieve something. It implies a sense of effort and intention, commonly found in both spoken and written Chinese to express endeavors in various situations.
Strokes16Frequency#1125DifficultyHard
Cultural note
The concept of attempting or trying is significant in Chinese culture, where perseverance and effort are highly valued. This is reflected in sayings like '失败是成功之母' (Failure is the mother of success), which encourages attempting despite difficulties.
Memory tip
Think of 试 (shì) as 'to test' and 图 (tú) as 'a blueprint or plan.' Together, imagine testing a plan you created, emphasizing the effort involved in trying something new. The pronunciation 'shi4 tu2' can help you remember it as 'she tried to make a blueprint.'
Meanings of 试图
shìtú(shi4tu2)
1to attempt
2to try
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 试图
试图Simplified
試圖Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1125Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 试图
Podcast: 试图
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AI study notes for 试图
Quick Contrast
尝试 (chángshì) implies 'to try' in a more general sense, often without the same connotation of intention or effort as 试图 (shìtú).
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 试图 with similar verbs like 尝试 (chángshì, to try) or 努力 (nǔlì, to strive), but 试图 emphasizes the intention behind the attempt. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, so be mindful of your audience when using it.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 试图 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to effort and intention, such as 努力 (nǔlì) and 计划 (jìhuà). Focus on using it in complex sentences to express nuanced attempts or plans.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 试图 by directly translating it as 'to try' without considering the context of an attempt. For example, saying '我试图吃' (I attempt to eat) is awkward; instead, use '我试图尝试新的食物' (I attempt to try new food) for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 试图
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试图 (shìtú) means 'to attempt' or 'to try' and is often used in contexts where one is making an effort to achieve something. It implies a sense of effort and intention, commonly found in both spoken and written Chinese to express endeavors in various situations.
When to use 试图
Learners often confuse 试图 with similar verbs like 尝试 (chángshì, to try) or 努力 (nǔlì, to strive), but 试图 emphasizes the intention behind the attempt. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, so be mindful of your audience when using it.
试图 or something close to it
尝试 (chángshì) implies 'to try' in a more general sense, often without the same connotation of intention or effort as 试图 (shìtú).
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 试图 by directly translating it as 'to try' without considering the context of an attempt. For example, saying '我试图吃' (I attempt to eat) is awkward; instead, use '我试图尝试新的食物' (I attempt to try new food) for clarity.
Write 试图
试
图
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Grammar patterns of 试图
试图 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我极不赞成你____达成的目标。
I'm highly unsympathetic to what you are trying to achieve.
Example sentences for 试图 (28)
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1
我极不赞成你试图达成的目标。
wǒ jí bù zànchéng nǐ shìtú dáchéng de mùbiāo。
I'm highly unsympathetic to what you are trying to achieve.
2
亚辛试图从警察手中逃脱时受了重伤。
yà Xīn shìtú cóng jǐngchá shǒu zhōng táo tuō shí shòu le zhòngshāng。
Yasin had seriously hurt himself while trying to escape from the police.
