Chinese Character: 练
1. Character Basics
Radical: 纟 (sī, silk radical)
Stroke Count: 8
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: liàn (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
Practice; train; exercise; drill; practice; skilled; trained
4. Common Words
- 练习 (liàn xí) - Practice; exercise
- 训练 (xùn liàn) - Train; drill
- 练习册 (liàn xí cè) - Exercise book
- 熟练 (shú liàn) - Skilled; proficient
- 练习曲 (liàn xí qǔ) - Etude (musical练习 piece)
- 练兵 (liàn bīng) - Train soldiers
- 练习生 (liàn xí shēng) - Trainee; intern
- 练功夫 (liàn gōng fū) - Practice kung fu
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "练" (liàn) is primarily a verb meaning "to practice" or "to train". It is often used in combination with other characters to form words related to learning, skill development, and training. In Chinese grammar, it is commonly used in the structure "练习 + noun" (to practice something) or as an adjective when combined with characters like "熟" (shú) to form "熟练" (skilled, proficient).
6. Cultural Background
The concept of "练" (practice) is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, particularly in relation to the pursuit of mastery in various arts and skills. Traditional Chinese culture places great emphasis on diligent practice as the path to excellence, as expressed in the proverb "台上一分钟，台下十年功" (One minute on stage, ten years of practice off stage). This value is evident in Chinese martial arts, calligraphy, painting, music, and other traditional arts where years of dedicated practice are required to achieve mastery.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 他每天练习钢琴两个小时。
English: He practices the piano for two hours every day.
8. Memory Tips
The character "练" (liàn) consists of "纟" (silk radical) and "东" (dōng, east). Originally, it referred to the process of making silk thread through repeated stretching and refining. This original meaning is related to the modern sense of "practice" as a process of refinement through repetition. You can remember this character by associating it with the idea of repeatedly working on something (like silk thread) to improve and refine your skills.