haau2考
Jyutpinghaau2
Yaleháau
Definition
To take an exam, test, or quiz to be assessed by an authority.
colloquialschoolwork
How it's used
Beyond formal academic settings, this verb is frequently used for any situation involving a test of skill or qualification, such as obtaining a professional license or even a driving test. It carries a sense of being evaluated by an external authority rather than just self-testing. When referring to the act of taking an exam, it is often paired with the noun 試 to form the verb-object structure 考試.
Examples
Are you taking your driving test next month?
Related words
Common phrases
to take a driving test
to take a university entrance exam
to pass an exam
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 試, which means to try or to test something out. While 考 implies a formal assessment or examination, 試 is much broader and can apply to trying on clothes or tasting food.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
