考 (kǎo) - To test, examine & to check, verify

考Tone 3

kǎo ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 耂

俊梁

考 · kǎo

To test, examine;

to check, verify;

to investigate;

to take an exam;

(archaic) deceased father.

To test, examineto check, verifyto investigate

Usage highlights

ExaminationTo considerTo testArchaeologyTo checkTo verify

Synonyms

  • 试— to test, try
  • 查— to check, investigate
  • 验— to verify, examine

Antonyms

  • 答— to answer (antonym to 'question' sense)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I need to take an exam (考试).
  • The teacher will check the homework (考作业).
  • He is thinking about a problem (考虑问题).
  • This is an archaeological discovery (考古发现).

Collocations

  • Examination(考试)
  • To consider(考虑)
  • To test(考验)
  • Archaeology(考古)
  • To check(考查)
  • To verify(考证)

Idioms

  • To investigate the past and know the present(考往知来)
  • To seek proof and inquire into details(考据求证)
  • Deep thinking and careful examination(深稽博考)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted an elderly person with a cane, representing longevity and venerability.
  • In ancient texts, '考' often referred to one's deceased father, as in '先考' (deceased father).
  • The character is fundamental to concepts of examination and verification in Chinese scholarly tradition.

FAQ