Meaning of 练
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to practice
- to train
- to drill
- to perfect (one's skill)
- exercise
- (literary) white silk
- to boil and scour raw silk
How to use 练
练 (liàn) is a verb meaning to practice or train, and it often takes a direct object like a skill or instrument. In everyday speech people also use 练习 (liànxí) as both a verb and a noun meaning exercises. Example: 我每天练钢琴。 (Wǒ měitiān liàn gāngqín.) I practice piano every day.
练 has the silk radical 纟 on the left, and one old meaning is to boil and scour raw silk until it is white and smooth. Picture working the same silk over and over until it is perfect, just like practicing a skill.
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 work out. Remember that 锻炼 uses fire 炼, while 练习 and 训练 use silk 练.
练 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
练 liàn · to practice · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 练.
| 练习 | liànxí | to practice; exercise |
| 训练 | xùnliàn | to train; to drill |
| 教练 | jiàoliàn | to coach; to train; instructor; sports coach; trainer (CL:位[wei4],名[ming2]) |
| 熟练 | shúliàn | practiced; proficient |
| 排练 | páiliàn | to rehearse; rehearsal |
| 演练 | yǎnliàn | to drill; to practice |
| 精练 | jīngliàn | (textiles) to scour; to degum (silk) |
| 苦练 | kǔ liàn | to train hard; to practice diligently |
| 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 |
Questions about 练
What does 练 mean?
练 (liàn) means "to practice; to train" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 练?
练 is made of 1 character: 练 (8 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 练 an HSK word?
Yes. 练 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 练 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 练 is written 練.
What is the difference between 练 and 练习?
练 is shorter and more casual, used directly before an object like 练字 (liàn zì) to practice handwriting. 练习 can be a verb or a noun, so you can say 做练习 (zuò liànxí) to do exercises, which you cannot do with 练 alone.
How do I say I am practicing Chinese?
You can say 我在练中文 (Wǒ zài liàn Zhōngwén) or 我在练习中文 (Wǒ zài liànxí Zhōngwén). To be specific, use phrases like 练口语 (liàn kǒuyǔ) to practice speaking or 练听力 (liàn tīnglì) to practice listening.