King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “test”

Romaji: shiken
examination; exam; test

In Japanese, test is , read (shiken).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

  1. n, vs, vt examination; exam; test
  2. n, vs, vt trial; experiment; test

Kanji and stroke order

test, try, attempt
on: シ
kun: こころ.みる、ため.す
13 strokes · JLPT 3
verification, effect, testing
on: ケン、ゲン
kun: あかし、しるし、ため.す、ためし
18 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “test”

WordReadingMeaning
けんさ kensainspection (e.g. customs, factory); examination; test
ためし tameshitrial; test; try
テスト tesutotest (of ability, knowledge, etc.); exam; examination
しれん shirentest; trial; ordeal
ためす tamesuto try (out); to have a try (at); to test

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
しあい shiaimatch; game; bout
ためし tameshitrial; test; try
こころみ kokoromiattempt; trial; experiment
にゅうし nyuushientrance examination
ためす tamesuto try (out); to have a try (at); to test
けいけん keikenexperience
たいけん taiken(practical) experience; personal experience; hands-on experience
じっけん jikkenexperiment; experimentation

See also: Chinese symbol for “test”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.

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