How common it is
实验 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say shí yàn slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
实验是为了学习新知识而做的测试。
Shí yàn shì wèile xuéxí xīn zhīshi ér zuò de cèshì.
An experiment is a test done to learn new knowledge.
Context note
实验通常在科学课上进行，比如混合颜色或种植物。
Shí yàn tōngcháng zài kēxué kè shàng jìnxíng, bǐrú hùnhé yánsè huò zhòng zhíwù.
Experiments are usually done in science class, like mixing colors or planting.
5 examples
我们做了一个科学实验。
wǒ men zuò le yí gè kē xué shí yàn。
We did a science experiment.
这个实验很有趣。
zhè ge shí yàn hěn yǒu qù。
This experiment is very interesting.
老师带我们做实验。
lǎo shī dài wǒ men zuò shí yàn。
The teacher led us to do an experiment.
实验需要水和盐。
shí yàn xū yào shuǐ hé yán。
The experiment needs water and salt.
我学会了做实验。
wǒ xué huì le zuò shí yàn。
I learned how to do an experiment.
5 mini stories
小明做了种子发芽实验。他把豆子放在湿棉花上。
xiǎo míng zuò le zhǒng zi fā yá shí yàn。 tā bǎ dòu zǐ fàng zài shī mián huā shàng。
Xiao Ming did a seed germination experiment. He put beans on wet cotton.
小红做了颜色混合实验。她把蓝色和黄色混在一起。
xiǎo hóng zuò le yán sè hùn hé shí yàn。 tā bǎ lán sè hé huáng sè hùn zài yì qǐ。
Xiao Hong did a color mixing experiment. She mixed blue and yellow together.
小华做了浮沉实验。他把石头和木头放进水里。
xiǎo huá zuò le fú chén shí yàn。 tā bǎ shí tou hé mù tou fàng jìn shuǐ lǐ。
Xiao Hua did a float and sink experiment. He put a stone and wood into water.
小丽做了磁铁实验。她用磁铁吸回形针。
xiǎo lì zuò le cí tiě shí yàn。 tā yòng cí tiě xī huí xíng zhēn。
Xiao Li did a magnet experiment. She used a magnet to attract paper clips.
小刚做了植物生长实验。他每天给植物晒太阳。
xiǎo gāng zuò le zhí wù shēng zhǎng shí yàn。 tā měi tiān gěi zhí wù shài tài yáng。
Xiao Gang did a plant growth experiment. He gives the plant sunlight every day.