Definition
实验 (shí yàn) refers to a scientific experiment or test, especially in a lab setting (noun) or to conduct such an experiment (verb). It is more formal and academic than 试验 (shì yàn), which is a broader 'test/trial' (e.g., product testing), and much more specific than 试 (shì), a general verb meaning 'to try'. Use 实验 for controlled, methodical experiments.
noun
experimenttest
verb
to experimentto test
Measure word · 个, 次
Easily confused
- 试验shì yànsound-aliketo experiment; to test
Examples
- 实验。Zhège shí yàn de jiéguǒ fēicháng zhǔnquè.The result of this experiment is very accurate.
- 实验。Tāmen zhèngzài shí yàn yì zhǒng xīn fāngfǎ.They are experimenting with a new method.
- 实验。Wǒmen zuò le sān cì shí yàn cái chénggōng.We did three experiments before succeeding.
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