尝试 (cháng shì) is a verb meaning 'to attempt' or 'to try'—especially when doing something new, uncertain, or slightly challenging. The first character 尝 originally meant 'to taste' but evolved to convey the idea of 'testing' or 'sampling' an experience; 试 means 'to test' or 'to put to trial'. Together, they emphasize purposeful, often cautious, effort toward achieving something unfamiliar or unproven.

This word is commonly used in everyday contexts like learning a skill, testing a recipe, or trying out a new method. It carries a neutral-to-positive tone and suggests openness and initiative—not just random action, but thoughtful experimentation. Unlike the more casual 试 (shì) alone, 尝试 implies a fuller engagement: you’re not just testing one aspect—you’re attempting the whole thing. It frequently appears with objects (e.g., 尝试新方法), in potential complements (e.g., 尝试一下), or as a noun meaning 'an attempt' (e.g., 这是一次大胆的尝试).