考 kǎo to test
to test; to take an exam; to ponder
How to remember 考: 耂 old man + 丂 choke = to test. The strict old man asks the nervous driver so many questions that she starts to choke, because his job is to test her.
Component breakdown
考 = 耂 old man + 丂 choke
- 耂 old man
- 丂 choke
The strict old man asks the nervous driver so many questions that she starts to choke, because his job is to test her.
How it came to be
An old person with long hair bent over a stick, the same drawing as old with the last stroke turned. It named a dead father, and examining a thing carefully was done for one.
How it is used
- "To test/examine" - 考试 (kǎoshì) an exam, 考大学 (kǎo dàxué) sit the university exam. As a verb it can take the exam as object: 明天考数学 (míngtiān kǎo shùxué) tomorrow we're tested on math.
- Also "to ponder/investigate" - 考虑 (kǎolǜ) consider, 思考 (sīkǎo) reflect, 参考 (cānkǎo) consult for reference.
Characters built with 考
Words with 考
- 考试kǎoshìtestHSK 2
- 考虑kǎolǜthink overHSK 4
- 报考bàokǎoto enter oneself for an examinationHSK 4
- 考生kǎoshēngexam candidateHSK 4
- 高考gāokǎocollege entrance examHSK 4
- 参考cānkǎoconsultationHSK 5
- 思考sīkǎoto reflect onHSK 5
- 考古kǎogǔarchaeologyHSK 6
- 考察kǎocháto inspectHSK 6
- 考核kǎohéto examineHSK 6
- 考验kǎoyànto testHSK 6
- 考查kǎocháto investigateHSK 7
- 考量kǎoliángto considerHSK 7
Example sentences
- 今天上午考试。 Jīntiān shàngwǔ kǎoshì.I'm taking a test this morning.
- 考试成绩很重要。 Kǎoshì chéngjì hěn zhòngyào.Test results are very important.
- 考试前要认真复习。 Kǎoshì qián yào rènzhēn fùxí.You must review your lessons well before the examination.
- 让我考虑一下。 Ràng wǒ kǎolǜ yī xià.Let me think it over.