Meaning:

to examine, to check, to inspect

Origin:

本义是“老”。字形像一个头上有几根稀疏头发、后背稍驼的老人，再加上声符“丂”构成。后多用于“考察”、“考核”义。

This character’s original meaning was “old.” It used to look like an old hunchback with just a few hairs. Its phonetic element was “丂.” Later, its definition extended to “investigate,” “examine,” and related meanings.

Words:

   考古 (kǎogǔ): archaeology

  考察 (kǎochá): to investigate

   考卷 (kǎojuàn): examination paper

   考虑 (kǎolǜ): to consider

   考试 (kǎoshì): exam

Examples:

1. 你应该再考虑一下儿你的男朋友。

    Nǐ yīnggāi zài kǎolǜ yíxiàr nǐ de nánpéngyou.

    You should reevaluate your boyfriend.

2. 我这周有五门考试。

    Wǒ zhèzhōu yǒu wǔmén kǎoshì

    I have five exams this week.