try

Compared meaning: to try to do something (verb).

比较义项：尝试做某事（动词）。

• try 本词

  The everyday, neutral word for making an effort; it does not suggest the task is hard, and is often used casually, e.g. for tasting food or testing something new.

  这是最日常、最中性的说法，表示努力做某事；并不暗示任务有难度，也常用于比较随意的场合，比如尝一尝食物或试用新东西。

  You should try the new restaurant downtown this weekend.

  你这周末应该去市中心那家新餐厅尝一尝。

• attempt

  More formal and often journalistic; it implies the task is difficult or risky and that success is not guaranteed. It also pairs naturally with a noun object, as in "attempt a landing."

  语气更正式，常见于新闻或书面语；暗示这件事有难度或有风险，成功与否并不确定。它也常直接接名词作宾语，例如 attempt a landing（尝试着陆）。

  Rescuers attempted a daring cliffside rescue in the storm.

  救援人员在暴风雨中试图完成一次惊险的悬崖救援。

Try and attempt both mean to make an effort. Try is common and everyday. Attempt is more formal, often implying the task is hard and might fail. Try meaning 'to judge in court' and attempt meaning 'an attack' are not compared here.

这两个词在“尝试做某事”这个意思上很接近，但语气和正式程度不同：try 是最常用、最随意的说法，不强调任务的难度；attempt 更正式、更书面，通常暗示这件事有难度，甚至可能失败。这里不比较 try 的其他意思，例如“审判”（try a case）；也不比较 attempt 作名词表示“（尤指违法的）企图”时的意思，例如 an attempt on someone's life。

Compared meaning: to check something by using it (verb).

比较义项：试验，检验（动词）。

• try 本词

  Informal; means to sample or use something briefly to see if you like it or if it works, often with food, activities, or new products; frequently followed by a noun or verb-ing.

  非正式用语；指短暂尝试或体验某事物，以判断是否喜欢或是否有效，常用于食物、活动或新产品；后面常接名词或动名词。

  She wants to try the yoga class before committing to a monthly pass.

  她想先试一试这节瑜伽课，再决定要不要办月卡。

• test

  More formal; means to check something's quality, ability, or performance against a standard, typically using measurements, instruments, or exams, in technical, scientific, or academic contexts.

  较为正式；指依据标准检验某事物的质量、能力或性能，通常借助测量、仪器或考试，多用于技术、科学或学术场景。

  The lab will test the water sample for contaminants.

  实验室将检测这份水样中是否含有污染物。

Try and test both mean to check something by using it. Try is informal: sample something briefly to see if you like it, with food or products. Test is more formal: check something's quality or performance against a standard, using measurements, in technical contexts.

这两个词在这个义项上都表示为了判断某事物的情况而去做一下，但语气和正式程度不同：try 强调非正式地尝试或体验一下，以判断是否喜欢或合适；test 强调较为正式、系统地检验质量、能力或性能。这里不比较 try 表示“尝试、努力做某事”的用法（如 try to open the door），也不比较 test 作名词表示“考试”的用法。

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

比较义项：尝试、试图做某事（名词）。

• try 本词

  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

  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。