练 meaning and stroke order
To practice; to train; to drill
How to write 练, stroke by stroke
8 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 练
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to practice
- to train
- to drill
- to perfect (one's skill)
- exercise
- (literary) white silk
How 练 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Thread.
纟 gives the meaning and 柬 hints at the sound.
Radical: 纟 (silk), shared by 143 characters on this site.
How to remember 练
练 has the silk radical 纟 on the left, a nod to its old meaning of white silk, and 柬 on the right giving the sound. Picture working raw silk thread over and over until it is smooth, the way you repeat a skill until it is polished.
练 is a verb for repeated practice to build a skill, and it often pairs with other characters, as in 练习 (liànxí) to practice and 训练 (xùnliàn) to train. It can also stand alone before an object. 我每天练字。(Wǒ měitiān liàn zì.) I practice handwriting every day.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 练 (liàn) with 炼 (liàn), which has the fire radical 火 and means to refine or smelt, as in 锻炼 (duànliàn) to exercise. The 锻炼 used for physical exercise is written with 炼, not 练.
Common words with 练
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 练习 | liànxí | to practice; exercise | HSK 2 |
| 训练 | xùnliàn | to train; to drill | HSK 3 |
| 教练 | jiàoliàn | to coach; to train; instructor; sports coach; trainer (CL:位[wei4],名[ming2]) | HSK 3 |
| 熟练 | shúliàn | practiced; proficient | HSK 4 |
| 排练 | páiliàn | to rehearse; rehearsal | HSK 7-9 |
| 演练 | yǎnliàn | to drill; to practice | HSK 7-9 |
| 精练 | jīngliàn | (textiles) to scour; to degum (silk) | HSK 7-9 |
| 苦练 | kǔ liàn | to train hard; to practice diligently | HSK 7-9 |
| 训练营 | xùnliànyíng | training camp | |
| 训练场 | xùnliànchǎng | training ground | |
| 练功 | liàngōng | to practice martial arts, tai chi etc; to train; to practice a skill | |
| 磨练 | móliàn | to temper oneself; to steel oneself | |
| 老练 | lǎoliàn | seasoned; experienced | |
| 操练 | cāoliàn | drill; practice |
练 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 练
How many strokes are in 练?
练 is written with 8 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 练 mean?
练 (liàn) means to practice; to train; to drill. A common word with it is 练习 (liànxí), meaning "to practice; exercise".
How do you pronounce 练?
练 is pronounced liàn, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 练?
The radical of 练 is 纟, which carries the idea of "silk". Dictionaries list 练 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 练?
The traditional form of 练 is 練. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 练 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 练 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 练 is part of the HSK 2 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 2.
What is the difference between 练习 and 锻炼?
练习 (liànxí) means practicing a specific skill, like piano or Chinese characters. 锻炼 (duànliàn) usually means physical exercise to build health or strength, for example 锻炼身体 (duànliàn shēntǐ).
Can 练 be used by itself as a verb?
Yes. In speech people often say 练 plus an object, such as 练琴 (liàn qín) to practice an instrument or 练口语 (liàn kǒuyǔ) to practice speaking. It sounds a bit more casual than 练习.