examen

The word "examen" comes from Latin and is related to the idea of weighing or testing something carefully. In modern English, though, it is a rare and formal noun. It does not usually mean the ordinary kind of school test that most people call an "exam." Instead, it usually refers to a close and serious review.

Most often, it appears in religious or reflective contexts. An examen can be a quiet review of your day, your choices, and your inner life. Someone might pause in the evening for an examen, thinking about where they acted well, where they failed, and what they want to do better tomorrow. In this sense, it is very close to self-examination or an examination of conscience.

More broadly, the word can also mean a careful inspection or critical review, but this use is much less common. If you do meet it outside religious writing, it will usually sound old-fashioned, scholarly, or highly formal rather than natural in everyday conversation.

So if you come across "examen" in English, do not picture a classroom first. Picture a person taking a thoughtful inward look, weighing their actions and feelings with care. That quiet, searching tone is where the word most naturally belongs.