試

It is a phono-semantic compound, composed of:

言 (“speech, words”) as the semantic element;

式 (sik, “rule, pattern”) as the phonetic element.

The combination conveys the idea of testing words or actions according to a rule or pattern.

In modern Korean, 시 (試) is widely used in words connected with testing, trials, and attempts:

시험 (試驗) – test, examination

시도 (試圖) – attempt, trial

시식 (試食) – food tasting, sampling

시연 (試演) – trial performance, demonstration

시용 (試用) – trial use, probationary use

Thus, 試 consistently carries the meanings of testing, trying, and examining across both practical and abstract contexts.