<ul>
<li><p>實驗: this word is commonly used to indicate scientific trials. The first character <code>實</code> means concrete, and we call a lab by appending a character for room <code>室</code> to it, which becomes "實驗室". On the other hand, a experimental theater is usually translated into "實驗劇場".</p></li>
<li><p>測驗: is normally applied to indicate examinations or assessments, such as SAT would be likely associated with this word. The character <code>測</code> means assessing.</p></li>
<li><p>試驗: is less common than the first two words, and we see this word appearing at some medical/pharmacological/agricultural areas. </p></li>
</ul>

<p>They are not exact synonyms, but we would apply different terms according to related domains, so it is very rare to see <code>試驗</code> being used to indicate normal exams at schools.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-10T09:39:22.543Z
2016-10-10T09:39:22.543Z
Infini Axis
<p>Here are the common definitions for these words:</p>

<p>實驗 - experiment (lit: practical test)<br>
e.g. 物理實驗 - physics experiment</p>

<p>測驗 - test as in exam (lit: test/measure test)<br>
e.g. 英語能力測驗 - English skill test</p>

<p>試驗 - test as in tryout/trial (lit: try test)<br>
e.g. 臨床試驗 - Clinical trial</p>

<p>By the way, I suggest don't use any translation engine if you want to study that language, use actual dictionaries. I believe translation engines are just to get a grasp of the input. At this point in time, humans are needed to finalize the translated outputs.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-10T09:28:43.517Z
So cèyàn is close to 考试, right? Are they interchangeable?
MickG
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-10T09:31:58.540Z
@MickG As I understand the both words, they can be interchangeable on the meanings layer, however, modern schools use 測驗 for smaller scaled tests and 考試 for greater ones.
Daniel Cheung
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-10T13:04:33.160Z
测验：quiz http://jukuu.com/search.php?q=quiz , 考试 examination; test; exam， http://bkrs.info/slovo.php?ch=%E8%80%83%E8%AF%95
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-10T09:23:27.023Z
2016-10-10T09:28:37.323Z
2016-10-10T09:28:37.323Z
Daniel Cheung
<p>I just stumbled upon the three words <code>實驗</code> (shíyàn), <code>測驗</code> (cèyàn), and <code>試驗</code> (shìyàn). Looking them up on mdbg.net and on Google Translate, they all translate to "test/experiment". So I was wondering: what (if any) is the difference between them? Are they exact synonyms or is there a subtle difference in meaning?</p>

<p>PS I wss looking for <a href="/questions/tagged/word-usage" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged &#39;word-usage&#39;" rel="tag">word-usage</a> but it doesn't exist. I'm not sure if there are better tags for this post. If you know any, feel free to edit.</p>

<meaning><difference>
Three words for "test": differences?
# Three words for "test": differences?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-10)

I just stumbled upon the three words `實驗` (shíyàn), `測驗` (cèyàn), and `試驗` (shìyàn). Looking them up on mdbg.net and on Google Translate, they all translate to "test/experiment". So I was wondering: what (if any) is the difference between them? Are they exact synonyms or is there a subtle difference in meaning?

PS I wss looking for [word-usage](/questions/tagged/word-usage "show questions tagged 'word-usage'") but it doesn't exist. I'm not sure if there are better tags for this post. If you know any, feel free to edit.

**Tags:** meaning, difference


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-10-10. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Here are the common definitions for these words:

實驗 - experiment (lit: practical test)  
e.g. 物理實驗 - physics experiment

測驗 - test as in exam (lit: test/measure test)  
e.g. 英語能力測驗 - English skill test

試驗 - test as in tryout/trial (lit: try test)  
e.g. 臨床試驗 - Clinical trial

By the way, I suggest don't use any translation engine if you want to study that language, use actual dictionaries. I believe translation engines are just to get a grasp of the input. At this point in time, humans are needed to finalize the translated outputs.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: So cèyàn is close to 考试, right? Are they interchangeable?  
> **username_2**: @username_0 As I understand the both words, they can be interchangeable on the meanings layer, however, modern schools use 測驗 for smaller scaled tests and 考試 for greater ones.  
> **username_3**: 测验：quiz http://jukuu.com/search.php?q=quiz , 考试 examination; test; exam， http://bkrs.info/slovo.php?ch=%E8%80%83%E8%AF%95  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2016-10-10. Score: 3

* 實驗: this word is commonly used to indicate scientific trials. The first character `實` means concrete, and we call a lab by appending a character for room `室` to it, which becomes "實驗室". On the other hand, a experimental theater is usually translated into "實驗劇場".
* 測驗: is normally applied to indicate examinations or assessments, such as SAT would be likely associated with this word. The character `測` means assessing.
* 試驗: is less common than the first two words, and we see this word appearing at some medical/pharmacological/agricultural areas.

They are not exact synonyms, but we would apply different terms according to related domains, so it is very rare to see `試驗` being used to indicate normal exams at schools.


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