endeavor

Compared meaning: an effort to do something (noun).

比较义项：尝试、试图做某事（名词）。

• try

  The most common and casual word; used in everyday speech for attempts big or small, often in the fixed phrase 'give it a try' or 'try to do something'.

  最常见、最口语化的词，日常表达大大小小的尝试，常用“give it a try”或“try to do something”这样的固定说法，语气非正式。

  I'll give the new recipe a try this weekend.

  这个周末我要试试这个新食谱。

• attempt

  More formal than try; suggests a deliberate, effortful attempt that may well fail, common in news and formal writing, and often used as a countable noun.

  比try更正式，暗示一次认真费力、可能会失败的尝试，常见于新闻和正式写作，也常作可数名词使用。

  His attempt to fix the printer only made things worse.

  他修打印机的这次尝试反而把事情弄得更糟。

• endeavor 本词

  Very formal and somewhat literary; describes a serious, ambitious, or long-term effort or undertaking, typical of formal or business contexts rather than casual speech.

  十分正式，带一点文学色彩，指重大或长期的努力或事业，多用于正式或商务语境，而非日常口语。

  Starting a nonprofit was a bold endeavor that took years to succeed.

  创办一家非营利组织是一项大胆的事业，花了好几年才成功。

Try, attempt and endeavor all mean an effort to do something, but differ in formality. Try is common and casual, as in 'give it a try'. Attempt is more formal, suggesting effort that may fail. Endeavor is the most formal, describing a serious undertaking.

这三个词都表示“尝试做某事”，但正式程度不同：try最口语化，attempt较正式，常暗示可能失败，endeavor最正式，强调重大或持续性的努力。

Compared meaning: to work hard for a goal (verb).

比较义项：努力，奋力去做某事（动词）。

• strive

  More common and forceful; suggests sustained, determined effort, often against difficulty. Typically used as a verb with 'to' or 'for'. Neutral to slightly formal register.

  更常用，语气更强，强调持续、坚定的努力，常有克服困难的意味。通常用作动词，搭配 to 或 for。语域中性偏正式。

  Students should strive to do their best on every exam.

  学生应该努力在每次考试中都发挥出最佳水平。

• endeavor 本词

  More formal and understated than strive; often used as a noun meaning a difficult or ambitious undertaking, not just the act of trying. As a verb it sounds polite or literary.

  比 strive 更正式、语气更克制；常作名词，指一项（有难度或有雄心的）事业或尝试，而不只是“努力”这个动作。作动词时显得客气或带书面色彩。

  Starting a small business is a risky but rewarding endeavor.

  创办一家小企业是一项有风险但值得的事业。

Strive and endeavor both mean to work hard toward a goal, but differ in register. Strive is more common and forceful, suggesting effort against difficulty, often with 'to' or 'for'. Endeavor is more formal and understated, often used as a noun for a difficult undertaking.

两个词都表示为达成目标而努力，但语域不同：strive 更常用、语气更强，常搭配 to do 或 for，强调持续奋斗；endeavor 更正式、书面化，语气较温和克制，也常作名词使用，指一项（尤其有难度或有风险的）事业或尝试。