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B1 noun #2,500 most common 8 min read

实验室

shiyanshi
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 实验室 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 实验室 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that a 实验室 (shíyànshì) is a 'lab' or a special room in a school. You might use it in very simple sentences like '我去实验室' (I go to the lab) or '实验室很大' (The lab is big). Think of it as just another room name, like 教室 (classroom) or 办公室 (office). It is a place where you might see scientists or students in white coats. You don't need to know the complex types of labs yet, just that it's a place for science. Focus on the pronunciation: 'shí-yàn-shì'. The characters might look hard, but remember that the last character '室' (shì) always means 'room'. You will see '室' in many other words too!
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At the A2 level, you can start describing what people do in a 实验室. You should know the verb '做实验' (zuò shíyàn), which means 'to do an experiment'. You might say, '我们在实验室做化学实验' (We do chemistry experiments in the lab). You should also be able to use basic measure words like '个' (gè) or '间' (jiān). At this level, you might encounter the word in the context of school life or simple news stories about science. You should also recognize that there are different kinds of labs, like '语言实验室' (language lab) where you practice listening to Chinese! It's important to distinguish between the room (实验室) and the activity (实验).
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As a B1 learner, you should understand 实验室 in more professional and academic contexts. You can talk about the equipment (设备) inside the lab or the safety rules (安全规则). You might say, '进入实验室必须穿实验服' (You must wear a lab coat to enter the lab). You should also be comfortable using the word as a modifier, such as '实验室报告' (lab report) or '实验室技术' (lab technology). You will hear this word often in university settings or when discussing career paths in science. You should also start to see the word in metaphorical contexts, like a 'living lab' for social experiments. Your vocabulary should now include related verbs like '建设' (build) and '管理' (manage).
At the B2 level, you should be able to discuss the role of the 实验室 in society and innovation. You might read articles about '国家重点实验室' (National Key Laboratories) and understand their importance to a country's development. You can use more complex sentence structures, such as '该实验室的研究成果对医疗界产生了深远影响' (The research results of this lab have had a profound impact on the medical field). You should also be able to distinguish 实验室 from similar terms like '研究所' (research institute) or '化验室' (clinical lab) and use them correctly in professional writing. You should be familiar with the formal register used in scientific abstracts and news reports.
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At the C1 level, your understanding of 实验室 should be nuanced. You can discuss the ethics of laboratory work, the funding of large-scale labs, and the collaborative nature of international laboratories. You should be able to follow technical discussions about lab protocols, biosafety levels (生物安全等级), and sophisticated instrumentation. You might use the word in idiomatic or highly formal contexts, such as '实验室环境下的模拟' (simulations under laboratory conditions). You should also be aware of the historical development of the term in modern Chinese and how it reflects the country's emphasis on 'Science and Education' (科教兴国). Your writing should reflect a high degree of precision when using this term.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of the term 实验室. You can engage in deep philosophical debates about the 'laboratory of the mind' or the socio-political implications of state-funded research facilities. You understand the word's placement within the broader lexicon of Chinese academic and technical discourse. You can write complex reports, grant proposals, or academic papers where 实验室 is used with absolute precision. You are also sensitive to the subtle connotations the word carries in different industries—from the 'clean rooms' of semiconductor labs to the 'wet labs' of biology. You can effortlessly switch between formal, technical, and metaphorical uses of the word in any high-level professional or academic setting.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

实验室 in 30 Seconds

  • 实验室 (shíyànshì) means 'laboratory' and is a noun used for any scientific testing room.
  • It is composed of characters for 'reality' (实), 'test' (验), and 'room' (室).
  • Commonly used in school, medical, and high-tech corporate contexts with measure words like 间 (jiān).
  • Distinguish it from 实验 (shíyàn), which is the 'experiment' itself, not the room.

The term 实验室 (shí yàn shì) is a compound noun that serves as the cornerstone for scientific inquiry in the Chinese-speaking world. Etymologically, it is composed of three distinct characters: 实 (shí) meaning 'reality' or 'solid,' 验 (yàn) meaning 'to test' or 'to verify,' and 室 (shì) meaning 'room' or 'chamber.' When combined, the literal translation is 'a room for verifying reality,' which perfectly encapsulates the essence of a laboratory. In modern usage, it refers to any controlled environment where scientific research, experiments, and measurements are performed. This can range from a high school chemistry lab to a high-security level-4 biosafety facility.

Academic Context
In universities, the 实验室 is where theory meets practice. Students transition from passive learning in the 教室 (classroom) to active discovery in the lab.
Industrial Context
In the corporate world, it often refers to R&D (Research and Development) centers where new products are prototyped and tested for safety and efficacy.
Medical Context
In hospitals, the 实验室 (often called 化验室 in specific clinical settings) is where blood samples and tissues are analyzed to diagnose patients.

“科学家们正在实验室里夜以继日地研发新型疫苗。” (Scientists are working day and night in the laboratory to develop a new type of vaccine.)

— Example of formal news reporting

Beyond the physical space, 实验室 has evolved in the digital age. Tech giants like Google or Alibaba often have 'Labs' (e.g., Google X) which are dedicated to 'moonshot' projects. In this sense, the word carries a connotation of innovation, risk-taking, and the cutting edge of human knowledge. It is a place where failure is not just accepted but is a necessary step toward success.

“这间实验室配备了世界上最先进的电子显微镜。” (This laboratory is equipped with the world's most advanced electron microscope.)

The physical layout of a 实验室 typically includes workstations (实验台), specialized equipment (仪器), and safety features like fume hoods (通风橱) and emergency showers. Understanding this word requires an appreciation for the rigorous protocols (规程) and precision (精确) that the environment demands. It is not just a room; it is a symbol of the empirical method.

“进入实验室前，请务必穿好实验服。” (Before entering the lab, please make sure to wear your lab coat.)

Key Equipment Vocabulary
显微镜 (Microscope), 试管 (Test tube), 烧杯 (Beaker), 离心机 (Centrifuge).

Using 实验室 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and its common collocations. It is most frequently used as the object of a preposition or a verb, or as a modifier for other nouns. Because it is a physical location, it often pairs with the measure words 间 (jiān) for a single room, or 个 (gè) for a general laboratory entity.

“我们学校有三间实验室。” (Our school has three laboratories.)

When describing actions taking place within the lab, the verb 做 (zuò) or 进行 (jìnxíng) is used with 'experiment' (实验). Note the difference: 实验室 is the place, 实验 is the act. A common mistake for beginners is to confuse the two. You don't 'do a laboratory'; you 'do an experiment in a laboratory' (在实验室做实验).

Common Verb Pairings
  • 进入 (jìnrù): To enter the lab.
  • 建设 (jiànshè): To build/establish a lab.
  • 管理 (guǎnlǐ): To manage a lab.
  • 封闭 (fēngbì): To seal off/close a lab (often for safety or security).

As a modifier, 实验室 can define the type of work being done. For example, 实验室设备 (laboratory equipment), 实验室报告 (laboratory report), or 实验室技术员 (laboratory technician). In these cases, it functions much like an adjective in English.

“该项目是在国家重点实验室完成的。” (The project was completed in a National Key Laboratory.)

Furthermore, the word is used in the context of 'virtual laboratories' (虚拟实验室) in the age of remote learning and computer simulations. Even without physical walls, the concept of a controlled environment for testing remains the same. When talking about the 'Lab' as an organization, you might use the word 所 (suǒ) as a measure word if it's a large institute, though 实验室 usually remains the internal room.

Sentence Structures
  • 在...里: 在实验室里 (Inside the lab).
  • 由...组成: 实验室由三个部分组成 (The lab consists of three parts).
  • 归...所有: 这间实验室归大学所有 (This lab belongs to the university).

You will encounter 实验室 in several distinct social and professional spheres. The most common is the Educational Environment. From primary school to PhD programs, the lab is a central part of the curriculum. You'll hear teachers say, “明天我们要去实验室” (Tomorrow we are going to the lab), or see it on your class schedule.

“请同学们在下午两点准时到化学实验室集合。” (Students, please gather at the chemistry lab promptly at 2 PM.)

In the News and Media, the word is ubiquitous when discussing breakthroughs. Whether it's a new semiconductor, a medical discovery, or space exploration, the narrative usually begins in a 实验室. News anchors might report, “科学家在实验室中发现了...” (Scientists discovered in the lab that...).

Pop Culture & Media
In TV dramas like 'CSI' or Chinese police procedurals, the 'forensic lab' (法医实验室) is a recurring setting where crucial evidence is found. It represents the 'truth' behind the mystery.
Corporate Jargon
In the tech industry, 'Labs' are synonymous with innovation. Companies like Baidu, Tencent, and Huawei have numerous 实验室 focused on AI, 5G, and cloud computing.

In Healthcare, patients often hear the word when being referred for tests. While a patient might go to a '化验室' (testing room) for a blood draw, the samples are sent to the hospital's central 实验室 for processing. Doctors will say, “实验室的结果还没出来” (The lab results aren't out yet).

“由于实验室设备故障，报告将延迟发放。” (Due to lab equipment failure, the report will be delayed.)

Finally, in the Government and Policy sector, 'National Laboratories' (国家实验室) are mentioned in five-year plans and strategic documents as pillars of national strength. Here, the word takes on a more abstract, institutional meaning, representing the country's scientific infrastructure.

Even for intermediate learners, 实验室 can be tricky due to its relationship with similar-sounding or related words. The most frequent error is the Confusion between 'Experiment' and 'Laboratory'. In English, 'experiment' is the action and 'laboratory' is the place. In Chinese, '实验' (shíyàn) is the action, and '实验室' (shíyànshì) is the place. Learners often say '我在实验' when they mean '我在实验室'.

❌ “他在实验里工作。” (He works in the experiment.)
✅ “他在实验室里工作。” (He works in the laboratory.)

Another common mistake involves Measure Word Misuse. While '个' (gè) is generally acceptable, using '间' (jiān) is much more precise when referring to the room itself. Using '所' (suǒ) for a single room is incorrect; '所' is reserved for large institutions or buildings.

Incorrect Collocations
  • Wrong: 办实验室 (bàn - to do/handle a lab).
  • Right: 建设实验室 (jiànshè - to build/establish a lab) or 运行实验室 (yùnxíng - to run/operate a lab).

There is also the issue of Register Mismatch. Using '实验室' in a very casual setting where '工作室' (studio/workshop) might be more appropriate. For example, if you are just tinkering with electronics in your garage, calling it a '实验室' might sound overly pretentious or formal to a native speaker, unless you are being ironic.

“虽然这只是我的车库，但我把它当成我的私人实验室。” (Although this is just my garage, I treat it as my private lab.) — Here, it's used for emphasis.

Finally, watch out for the Word Order in compound nouns. In English, we might say 'Research Lab,' but in Chinese, the 'Research' (研究) comes first: 研究实验室. Reversing this is a common grammatical slip for English speakers.

To truly master 实验室, one must understand the subtle differences between it and its synonyms or related terms. The most closely related word is 研究所 (yánjiūsuǒ). While a 实验室 is a specific room or set of rooms, a 研究所 is an entire institution or organization dedicated to research. A 研究所 usually contains many 实验室.

研究所 vs. 实验室
If you work for the 'Institute of Physics,' you work at a 研究所. If you are currently looking through a microscope, you are in a 实验室.
化验室 (huàyànshì)
Specifically used for testing and analysis. You find these in hospitals for blood tests or in food factories for quality control. It is more 'applied' and less 'exploratory' than a general 实验室.

“医生把血样送到了化验室进行分析。” (The doctor sent the blood sample to the testing lab for analysis.)

Another similar term is 工作室 (gōngzuòshì), which translates to 'studio' or 'workshop.' This is used for creative or professional services, such as an art studio, a photography studio, or a small software development team. It lacks the 'scientific verification' (实验) aspect of a laboratory.

We also have 机房 (jīfáng), which refers to a computer lab or server room. While students might call a computer room a 'lab' in English, in Chinese, if it's just for computers, it's usually a 机房. However, if it's for high-level computer science research, it might be called a '计算机实验室'.

“他在学校的机房里写代码。” (He is writing code in the school's computer room.)

Lastly, 车间 (chējiān) refers to a workshop or shop floor in a factory. This is where mass production happens, contrasting with the 实验室 where small-scale testing and development occur.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Writing 3/5

Grammar to Know

Measure words for rooms (间)

Locative particles (里, 外)

Noun-noun modification (化学 + 实验室)

Prepositional phrases with '在'

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Examples by Level

1

这是我们的实验室。

This is our laboratory.

Simple 'Subject + be + Object' structure.

2

实验室里有人吗？

Is there anyone in the lab?

Using '里' (inside) to indicate location.

3

我去实验室。

I am going to the lab.

Basic 'Subject + Verb + Place' structure.

4

实验室很大。

The lab is very big.

Adjective predicate with '很'.

5

实验室在那儿。

The lab is over there.

Indicating location with '在那儿'.

6

我不喜欢实验室。

I don't like the lab.

Negative sentence with '不'.

7

实验室有电脑。

The lab has computers.

Using '有' (to have/there is).

8

这是化学实验室。

This is a chemistry lab.

Noun modification (Chemistry + Lab).

1

我们在实验室做实验。

We do experiments in the lab.

Using '在...做...' (doing something at a place).

2

实验室的门关着。

The lab door is closed.

Using '着' to indicate a state.

3

他每天都去实验室。

He goes to the lab every day.

Using '每天都' for habitual action.

4

实验室里有很多设备。

There is a lot of equipment in the lab.

Existential sentence with '有很多'.

5

请保持实验室干净。

Please keep the lab clean.

Imperative sentence with '请'.

6

我在这间实验室学习。

I study in this laboratory.

Using the measure word '间'.

7

实验室下午两点开门。

The lab opens at 2 PM.

Time expression before the verb.

8

你需要实验室的钥匙吗？

Do you need the lab key?

Question with '吗'.

1

进入实验室前必须穿实验服。

You must wear a lab coat before entering the lab.

Using '...前' (before) and '必须' (must).

2

这间实验室是专门研究人工智能的。

This lab is dedicated to researching AI.

Using '是...的' for emphasis/definition.

3

实验室的安全规则非常严格。

The lab's safety rules are very strict.

Abstract noun as subject.

4

他在实验室里忙了一整天。

He was busy in the lab all day.

Duration of time after the verb.

5

实验室新买了一批仪器。

The lab recently bought a batch of instruments.

Using '一批' as a measure word for a batch.

6

这间实验室由王教授负责。

This lab is managed by Professor Wang.

Using '由...负责' (to be responsible for).

7

实验室的空气不太流通。

The air in the lab doesn't circulate well.

Describing the environment.

8

我们要把实验结果记录在实验室日志里。

We need to record the results in the lab log.

Using the '把' construction.

1

该实验室致力于开发可持续能源。

The lab is committed to developing sustainable energy.

Formal verb '致力于' (committed to).

2

实验室的建设得到了政府的资助。

The construction of the lab was funded by the government.

Passive meaning with '得到...资助'.

3

为了保证数据准确，实验室必须保持恒温。

To ensure data accuracy, the lab must maintain a constant temperature.

Using '为了' (in order to) to show purpose.

4

该实验室在国际学术界享有盛誉。

The lab enjoys a high reputation in international academic circles.

Formal idiom '享有盛誉'.

5

实验室的技术人员正在调试设备。

The lab technicians are debugging the equipment.

Progressive aspect with '正在'.

6

实验室的废弃物需要经过特殊处理。

Lab waste needs special processing.

Using '经过' (to go through/undergo).

7

这间实验室是跨学科合作的典范。

This lab is a model of interdisciplinary cooperation.

Using '...的典范' (a model of...).

8

由于实验室装修，所有的实验都暂停了。

Due to lab renovations, all experiments have been suspended.

Using '由于' (due to) to show cause.

1

实验室的封闭式管理确保了研究的保密性。

The lab's closed management ensures the confidentiality of the research.

Complex noun phrases as subject and object.

2

该实验室的突破性进展引起了全球关注。

The lab's breakthrough progress has attracted global attention.

Formal vocabulary like '突破性进展'.

3

实验室的精密仪器对环境震动极其敏感。

The lab's precision instruments are extremely sensitive to environmental vibrations.

Using '极其' (extremely) for emphasis.

4

在实验室环境下，我们成功模拟了火星的大气条件。

In a laboratory setting, we successfully simulated Martian atmospheric conditions.

Using '...环境下' (under the environment of...).

5

实验室的运行成本每年高达数百万美元。

The lab's operating costs amount to millions of dollars annually.

Using '高达' (as high as).

6

该实验室隶属于国家科学院。

The lab is affiliated with the National Academy of Sciences.

Formal verb '隶属于' (affiliated with).

7

实验室的伦理审查委员会负责监督所有动物实验。

The lab's ethics review board is responsible for overseeing all animal experiments.

Specific institutional terminology.

8

通过实验室的长期观测，科学家们得出了这一结论。

Through long-term observation in the lab, scientists reached this conclusion.

Using '通过' (through/by means of).

1

实验室不仅是科学产出的场所，更是思想碰撞的熔炉。

The laboratory is not only a place for scientific output but also a furnace for the collision of ideas.

Using '不仅是...更是...' for rhetorical effect.

2

该实验室的尖端技术在某种程度上重新定义了现代物理学。

The lab's cutting-edge technology has, to some extent, redefined modern physics.

Using '在某种程度上' (to some extent).

3

实验室内部的权力结构往往影响着科研项目的走向。

The internal power structure of the lab often influences the direction of research projects.

Abstract sociological analysis of a physical space.

4

尽管实验室条件优越，但科研人员仍面临着巨大的心理压力。

Despite the superior lab conditions, researchers still face immense psychological pressure.

Concessive clause with '尽管...但...'.

5

实验室的每一个数据点都承载着无数次失败的尝试。

Every data point in the lab carries the weight of countless failed attempts.

Metaphorical use of '承载' (to carry/bear).

6

该实验室的去中心化管理模式激发了研究员的创新潜能。

The lab's decentralized management model has stimulated the innovative potential of its researchers.

Advanced management terminology.

7

实验室的封闭性与科学知识的开放性之间存在着一种张力。

There exists a tension between the seclusion of the laboratory and the openness of scientific knowledge.

Philosophical 'A与B之间存在着...' structure.

8

实验室的演变史见证了人类对自然界认知边界的不断扩张。

The history of the laboratory's evolution has witnessed the continuous expansion of the boundaries of human knowledge of nature.

Using '见证' (to witness) in a historical context.

Synonyms

化验室 研究室 试验室

Common Collocations

国家实验室 (National lab)
重点实验室 (Key lab)
化学实验室 (Chemistry lab)
物理实验室 (Physics lab)
生物实验室 (Biology lab)
语言实验室 (Language lab)
进入实验室 (Enter the lab)
建设实验室 (Build a lab)
实验室设备 (Lab equipment)
实验室报告 (Lab report)

Common Phrases

实验室规则 (Lab rules)
实验室安全 (Lab safety)
实验室技术员 (Lab technician)
实验室助理 (Lab assistant)
实验室成果 (Lab results/achievements)
实验室环境 (Lab environment)
实验室标准 (Lab standards)
实验室管理 (Lab management)
实验室器材 (Lab apparatus)
实验室数据 (Lab data)

Often Confused With

实验室 vs 实验 (shíyàn) - The experiment itself

实验室 vs 化验室 (huàyànshì) - Clinical testing lab

实验室 vs 工作室 (gōngzuòshì) - Creative studio

Idioms & Expressions

"闭门造车 (bì mén zào chē) - To work in isolation (metaphorically like a lab with no outside input)"
"循序渐进 (xún xù jiàn jìn) - Step by step (essential for lab work)"
"一丝不苟 (yī sī bù gǒu) - Meticulous (required in a lab)"
"精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng) - Constantly improving (lab goal)"
"实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì) - Seek truth from facts (the lab's purpose)"
"千锤百炼 (qiān chuí bǎi liàn) - Thoroughly tempered (like a lab-tested product)"
"日新月异 (rì xīn yuè yì) - Changing with each passing day (modern labs)"
"名列前茅 (míng liè qián máo) - At the top (top labs)"
"由此及彼 (yóu cǐ jí bǐ) - From this to that (inference in a lab)"
"取长补短 (qǔ cháng bǔ duǎn) - Learn from others' strengths (lab collaboration)"

Easily Confused

实验室 vs

实验室 vs

实验室 vs

实验室 vs

实验室 vs

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

Related

实验 (experiment)
化验 (to test/analyze)
实证 (empirical evidence)
室内 (indoors)
室友 (roommate)
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How to Use It

plural

Chinese doesn't have plural forms, so use '几间' or '很多' to indicate multiple labs.

shortening

Rarely shortened to '实验' in formal contexts.

distinction

Don't confuse with 试验场 (outdoor test site).

Common Mistakes
  • Saying '我在实验' instead of '我在实验室'.
  • Using the wrong measure word (e.g., 一把实验室).
  • Confusing 实验室 (lab) with 研究所 (institute).
  • Mispronouncing 'shì' as 'shì' (1st tone).
  • Forgetting to use '里' when saying 'inside the lab'.

Tips

Prefixes

Add the subject before 实验室 to specify the type (e.g., 化学实验室).

Measure Words

Use '间' (jiān) when talking about the physical room layout.

Safety First

Always associate the word with '安全' (ānquán - safety) in a lab context.

National Labs

Recognize '国家重点实验室' as a sign of high scientific prestige.

Tones

Practice the 4th tones on 'yàn' and 'shì' to sound authoritative.

Compound Nouns

Remember that 'Laboratory Equipment' is '实验室设备' (Place + Thing).

Hospital Context

In hospitals, listen for '化验室' for blood test areas.

University Life

The lab is often where graduate students spend most of their time.

Virtual Labs

A '虚拟实验室' is a software simulation of a real lab.

The 'Room' Character

The character '室' looks like a roof over a workstation.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Modern compound word.

Cultural Context

High social status for lab researchers.

Heavy emphasis on lab-based STEM education in schools.

Labs are the center of the 'Made in China 2025' initiative.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"你在哪间实验室工作？"

"你们实验室最近有什么新发现吗？"

"进入实验室需要穿防护服吗？"

"这间实验室的设备很先进吧？"

"我可以在实验室里参观一下吗？"

Journal Prompts

Describe your ideal laboratory.

If you were a scientist, what kind of lab would you want to lead?

Write about a time you did an experiment in a school lab.

Why are laboratories important for a country's development?

Imagine a lab in the year 2100. What does it look like?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

实验 is the experiment (the action), while 实验室 is the laboratory (the room where the action happens).

Yes, '个' is a general measure word and is acceptable, but '间' is more specific for rooms.

It can be called a 计算机实验室, but often it's just called a 机房 (jīfáng).

It is 实验室报告 (shíyànshì bàogào) or simply 实验报告.

It is a 国家重点实验室, a top-tier research facility in China funded by the government.

Yes, usually '在实验室里' (zài shíyànshì lǐ).

It is the standard term, used in both formal and informal settings.

实验室技术员 (shíyànshì jìshùyuán).

Usually, it refers to a room. A whole building might be called 实验楼 (shíyànlóu).

A 语言实验室 (yǔyán shíyànshì), used for practicing listening and speaking.

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