Chinese Character: 践
1. Character Basics
Radical: 足/zú radical (足字旁)
Stroke Count: 12
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jiàn (fourth tone)
3. Meaning
trample, step on, practice, carry out, fulfill
4. Common Words
- 实践 (shí jiàn) - practice, put into practice
- 践踏 (jiàn tà) - trample, tread underfoot
- 践行 (jiàn xíng) - practice, carry out
- 履约践诺 (lǚ yuē jiàn nuò) - honor a promise, keep a commitment
- 践约 (jiàn yuē) - keep an appointment, fulfill an agreement
- 践言 (jiàn yán) - keep one's word, fulfill a promise
5. Grammar & Usage
践 is a verb that has two main meanings: "to trample" or "to step on", and "to practice" or "to carry out". The meaning depends on the context in which it is used.
When meaning "to trample" or "to step on", 践 is often used in phrases like 践踏 (jiàn tà) meaning "to trample" or "to tread underfoot". This usage can be both literal and figurative.
When meaning "to practice" or "to carry out", 践 is commonly used in phrases like 实践 (shí jiàn) meaning "practice" or "to put into practice". This usage is often related to implementing ideas or fulfilling commitments.
In formal contexts, 践 is also used in phrases like 践约 (jiàn yuē) meaning "to keep an appointment" or "to fulfill an agreement", and 践言 (jiàn yán) meaning "to keep one's word" or "to fulfill a promise".
6. Cultural Background
The character 践 has deep cultural roots in Chinese philosophy and ethics. The concept of 实践 (shí jiàn) or "putting into practice" has been emphasized in Chinese thought for centuries.
Confucianism places great importance on the harmony between knowledge and practice. The famous Confucian scholar Wang Yangming developed the philosophy of "the unity of knowledge and action" (知行合一 zhī xíng hé yī), which emphasizes that true knowledge must be accompanied by action.
In Chinese culture, keeping one's promises and fulfilling one's commitments is highly valued. Phrases like 践诺 (jiàn nuò) meaning "to keep a promise" reflect the cultural emphasis on integrity and reliability.
The character 践 also appears in many Chinese idioms and proverbs related to action and实践. For example, 纸上谈兵 (zhǐ shàng tán bīng) meaning "to talk about military strategy on paper" or "to talk the talk but not walk the walk", which emphasizes the importance of practical experience over theoretical knowledge.
7. Example Sentence
句子 (jù zi): 我们应该把理论付诸实践。
Pronunciation (pīn yīn): Wǒ men yīng gāi bǎ lǐ lùn fù zhū shí jiàn.
Translation (fān yì): We should put theory into practice.
8. Memory Tips
The character 践 consists of two parts: 足 (zú, foot) on the left and 戋 (jiān, small, few) on the right. You can remember it by thinking of "using your foot (足) to step on or carry out (戋) something", which relates to its meanings of "to trample" or "to practice".
Another way to remember: 践 sounds like "jiàn" and is often used in the phrase 实践 (shí jiàn) meaning "practice". Think of the importance of putting ideas into practice.
The radical 足 (foot) on the left of the character clearly indicates that it is related to foot or action, which fits with its meanings of physical stepping or metaphorical carrying out of actions.