Shiken is the Japanese word for ‘exam’, explained

What does “shiken” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “shiken” to mean ‘exam’ or ‘test’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese textbooks and lessons. In this blog post, however, I will explain this word in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I will explain how to use it through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners to understand “shiken” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “shiken”
• Shiken in kanji
  • Example #1: how to say “exam” in Japanese
  • Example #2: another usage of “shiken”
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “shiken”

Let me start with the definition and meanings of “shiken”.

• shiken – 試験 (しけん) : a noun meaning ‘exam’, ‘examination’, or ‘test’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.

Native speakers use this noun to refer to a test or tests of knowledge or skill. So, the usage of this noun is very similar to those of the English ones above, I think.

The definition and meanings are simple and clear. To understand this noun more clearly, however, let me explain its kanji characters in detail, one by one.

Shiken in kanji

The kanji expression of “shiken” consists of the following two characters:

• 試 : a kanji character often used to mean ‘try’, ‘attempt’, ‘test’, ‘trial’, or such.
• 験 : a kanji character used to mean ‘test’ or ‘trial’.

From these two kanji characters, we can understand that “shiken” consists of the two similar kanji characters and that it literally means ‘test’ in Japanese. So, the literal interpretation is completely in line with the meanings.

When we meet new kanji expressions, we should check their kanji characters in detail to understand their meanings clearly and deeply. In many cases, kanji characters tell us a lot about meanings of words they form. Actually, here, we could get the better understanding of “shiken” through the detailed kanji check above.

Then, let me explain how to use “shiken” through the example sentences below.

Example #1: how to say “exam” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works as a topic marker after “boku” to put a focus on it.
• ashita – 明日 (あした) : a noun meaning ‘tomorrow’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb. In the example, this works as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence to say “tomorrow” in Japanese.
• eigo – 英語 (えいご) : a noun meaning ‘English’ or ‘the English language’ in Japanese.
• no – の : a case particle used to join two nouns. Normally, the first one can work as a modifier to describe the second. In the example, this is used to join “eigo” and “shiken”. The formed phrase literally means an ‘English exam’ in Japanese.
• ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after the noun phrase, “eigo no shiken”, to make the subject in the sentence.
• aru – ある : a verb used to express the existence of an inanimate thing. In the example, this is used to express the existence of “eigo no shiken”.

This is a typical usage of “shiken”. In this example, it works as a part of the noun phrase, “eigo no shiken”, which means an ‘English exam’ in Japanese. When we want to say “exam” or “test” in Japanese, this noun is a very good option.

Example #2: another usage of “shiken”

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kinou – 昨日 (きのう) : a noun meaning ‘yesterday’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb. In the example, this works as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence to say “yesterday” in Japanese.
• suugaku – 数学 (すうがく) : a noun meaning ‘math’ or ‘mathematics’ in Japanese.
• at – あっ : one conjugation of the verb, “aru”, which is used to express the existence of an inanimate thing. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form. In the example, this is used after “at” to make its past tense form, “at ta”.

This is another typical usage of “shiken”. In this example, it works as a part of the noun phrase, “suugaku no shiken”, which means a ‘math exam’ in Japanese.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “shiken” in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I’ve explained how to use it through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• shiken – 試験 (しけん) : a noun meaning ‘exam’, ‘examination’, or ‘test’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Native speakers use this noun to refer to a test or tests of knowledge or skill. So, the usage of this noun is very similar to those of the English ones above, I think. Both kanji characters mean ‘test’ in Japanese. So, what the kanji characters express is completely in line with the meanings.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.