kǎoshēng: 考生 - Examinee, Test-taker, Candidate (for an exam)

• Keywords: 考生, kaosheng, Chinese student, Gaokao, Chinese exam, test-taker, examinee, HSK candidate, what is kaosheng, what does kaosheng mean, Chinese education system.
• Summary: “考生 (kǎoshēng)” is the Chinese word for an “examinee” or “test-taker.” While it has a simple translation, the term is deeply connected to China's high-stakes examination culture, particularly the famous national college entrance exam, the gaokao (高考). Understanding 考生 is not just about learning a new word; it's about understanding the immense pressure, societal expectations, and life-changing significance of exams in modern China. This page explores its meaning, cultural weight, and practical use for anyone learning about Chinese language and society.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kǎoshēng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A person who takes an examination.
• In a Nutshell: 考生 isn't just any student; it's a student defined by an upcoming or ongoing exam. Think of it as a temporary but all-consuming identity. When a student becomes a 考生, their life narrows to a single focus: preparing for and passing a specific, often life-altering, test. The word carries a heavy connotation of stress, discipline, and the hopes of an entire family.

• 考 (kǎo): This character means “to test” or “to examine.” It's the root of all words related to academic testing, like `考试 (kǎoshì)`, “exam.”
• 生 (shēng): This character means “life,” “to be born,” or “student.” In many words, it acts as a suffix to denote a person, similar to “-er” or “-ist” in English. We see it in `学生 (xuéshēng)`, “student,” and `医生 (yīshēng)`, “doctor.”
• Together, 考生 (kǎoshēng) literally translates to “test-person” or “exam-student,” a straightforward and logical combination that describes a person's specific role.

In Chinese culture, education has historically been viewed as the primary path to social mobility and success, a value deeply rooted in the ancient imperial examination system. The 考生 is the modern embodiment of this tradition. The most significant cultural context for 考生 is the 高考 (gāokǎo), the National College Entrance Examination. For millions of high school students each year, this single exam largely determines which university they can attend and, by extension, their entire future career path.

• Comparison to Western Culture: While American students face pressure with the SAT or ACT, the gaokao is on an entirely different level of intensity and consequence. The SAT is one of many factors in a holistic university application process that includes essays, extracurriculars, and recommendation letters. In contrast, the gaokao score is, for most students, the *only* thing that matters. This creates a national atmosphere of anxiety and focus during exam season. Entire communities rally around their 考生: traffic is diverted around test centers, construction work is halted to ensure silence, and families flock to temples to pray for good scores. To be a gaokao 考生 is a rite of passage that is both a personal struggle and a collective societal event.
• Related Values: The concept of 考生 is tied to values of perseverance, filial piety (fulfilling parents' hopes), and a belief in meritocracy through academic achievement. The immense hardship endured by a 考生 is seen as a noble sacrifice for a better future.

考生 is a standard, neutral-to-formal term used in a variety of contexts.

• In News and Official Announcements: Media reports on the gaokao or other major exams will constantly use 考生. Schools use it in instructions for test day.
  • Example: “今年全国高考考生人数再创新高。” (This year, the number of national college entrance exam examinees has reached a new high.)
• In Conversation: People use it when discussing someone's status relative to an exam. It immediately signals that the person is under a lot of stress and shouldn't be disturbed.
  • Example: “我儿子今年是考生，我们全家都很紧张。” (My son is a test-taker this year, our whole family is very nervous.)
• Connotation: While the word itself is neutral, the context almost always evokes sympathy and understanding. Calling someone a 考生 is an acknowledgement of the difficult period they are in. You would almost never use it jokingly.

• Example 1:
  • 所有考生请注意，考试马上就要开始了。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu kǎoshēng qǐng zhùyì, kǎoshì mǎshàng jiùyào kāishǐ le.
  • English: All examinees please pay attention, the exam is about to begin.
  • Analysis: This is a typical announcement one would hear in an examination hall (`考场`). It's formal and direct.
• Example 2:
  • 作为一个考生，他每天学习到深夜。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī ge kǎoshēng, tā měitiān xuéxí dào shēnyè.
  • English: As an examinee, he studies late into the night every day.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the lifestyle and hardship associated with being a 考生. `作为 (zuòwéi)` means “as” or “in the capacity of.”
• Example 3:
  • 每年都有上千万的考生参加高考。
  • Pinyin: Měinián dōu yǒu shàng qiān wàn de kǎoshēng cānjiā gāokǎo.
  • English: Every year, tens of millions of examinees participate in the Gaokao.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the immense scale of the most important exam in China.
• Example 4:
  • 别打扰她，她明天要考试，是个重要的考生。
  • Pinyin: Bié dǎrǎo tā, tā míngtiān yào kǎoshì, shì ge zhòngyào de kǎoshēng.
  • English: Don't bother her, she has a test tomorrow, she's an important examinee.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the social etiquette around a 考生 – they are to be given space and quiet.
• Example 5:
  • 这位考生因为迟到而错过了考试。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi kǎoshēng yīnwèi chídào ér cuòguò le kǎoshì.
  • English: This examinee missed the exam because he was late.
  • Analysis: `这位 (zhè wèi)` is a polite measure word for people, often used in formal or news contexts.
• Example 6:
  • 我们祝愿所有的考生都能取得好成绩！
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhùyuàn suǒyǒu de kǎoshēng dōu néng qǔdé hǎo chéngjì!
  • English: We wish that all the examinees can achieve good results!
  • Analysis: A very common phrase of encouragement seen on banners and in social media posts during exam season.
• Example 7:
  • 对考生来说，心理压力非常大。
  • Pinyin: Duì kǎoshēng láishuō, xīnlǐ yālì fēicháng dà.
  • English: For examinees, the psychological pressure is immense.
  • Analysis: `对…来说 (duì…láishuō)` is a useful grammar structure meaning “for…” or “from the perspective of…”
• Example 8:
  • 请考生出示准考证和身份证。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng kǎoshēng chūshì zhǔnkǎozhèng hé shēnfènzhèng.
  • English: Examinees, please show your admission ticket and ID card.
  • Analysis: A standard instruction, showing the necessary documents a 考生 must have.
• Example 9:
  • 他不仅是学生，更是背负着全家希望的考生。
  • Pinyin: Tā bùjǐn shì xuéshēng, gèng shì bēifù zhe quán jiā xīwàng de kǎoshēng.
  • English: He is not just a student, he is an examinee carrying the hopes of his entire family.
  • Analysis: This sentence powerfully contrasts the general term `学生` with the culturally-loaded term `考生`.
• Example 10:
  • 艺术类考生需要参加专业课和文化课两项考试。
  • Pinyin: Yìshù lèi kǎoshēng xūyào cānjiā zhuānyè kè hé wénhuà kè liǎng xiàng kǎoshì.
  • English: Art-track examinees need to take both specialized subject and cultural subject exams.
  • Analysis: This shows that 考生 can be modified to specify the type of exam, such as for art, music, or sports school applicants.

• `考生 (kǎoshēng)` vs. `学生 (xuéshēng)`: This is the most critical distinction. `学生 (xuéshēng)` means “student” in a general sense. Everyone from a first-grader to a PhD candidate is a `学生`. `考生 (kǎoshēng)` is a temporary identity linked to a specific exam. You are only a `考生` in the period leading up to and during an exam.
  • Correct: 他是北京大学的学生。(Tā shì Běijīng Dàxué de xuéshēng.) - He is a student at Peking University.
  • Incorrect: 他是北京大学的考生。(Tā shì Běijīng Dàxué de kǎoshēng.) - This is wrong as a general statement. It would only make sense if he were, for example, a non-student taking a specific certification exam held at the university.
• “Candidate” is a False Friend: While “candidate” can be a translation, 考生 is used almost exclusively for academic or professional certification exams. It is NOT used for a political candidate, a job candidate, or a candidate for a prize.
  • Political Candidate: `候选人 (hòuxuǎnrén)`
  • Job Applicant/Candidate: `应聘者 (yìngpìnzhě)`

• 考试 (kǎoshì) - The noun “exam” or “test.” This is the event that a 考生 must face.
• 高考 (gāokǎo) - The National College Entrance Examination. The ultimate and most culturally significant exam for a Chinese 考生.
• 中考 (zhōngkǎo) - The Senior High School Entrance Examination. A similarly high-stakes exam for junior high students to get into a good high school.
• 学生 (xuéshēng) - The general term for “student.” A 考生 is a type of `学生`, but not all `学生` are currently a `考生`.
• 考场 (kǎochǎng) - The examination hall or room. The “battlefield” for the 考生.
• 准考证 (zhǔnkǎozhèng) - The exam admission ticket. An essential document for every 考生.
• 复习 (fùxí) - To review lessons. The primary activity and duty of a 考生.
• 加油 (jiāyóu) - “Go for it! / Add oil!” The quintessential phrase of encouragement shouted to 考生.
• 落榜 (luòbǎng) - To fail an important exam (literally “to fall off the list of successful candidates”). The greatest fear of a 考生.
• 金榜题名 (jīnbǎng-tímíng) - A four-character idiom meaning “to have one's name inscribed on the golden榜 list,” i.e., to pass an important examination successfully. The ultimate dream of every 考生.