练习

• Pinyin: liàn xí
• Hanzi breakdown: 练 (liàn) = 纟(silk) + 柬 (phonetic); 习 (xí) — to study, from a pictograph of a bird learning to fly

Meaning

To practice; exercise; drill. Can be a verb (to practice) or a noun (an exercise or drill).

As a verb, it means to practice or train a skill. As a noun, it refers to exercises, drills, or homework problems. Very common in school settings where students do 练习 (exercises) to improve.

Examples

1. 我们每天练习说中文。 We practice speaking Chinese every day.
2. 老师给了我们很多练习。 The teacher gave us a lot of exercises.
3. 多练习，你的发音会更好。 Practice more and your pronunciation will get better.

Usage Guide

Context: education, language learning, sports

Tone: encouraging

Do Say

• 请做第三页的练习。(Please do the exercises on page three.)
• 我需要多练习口语。(I need to practice speaking more.)

Don't Say

• 不要混淆'练习'和'学习' (Don't confuse 练习 with 学习 — 练习 emphasizes repeated drilling of a known skill, while 学习 means studying or learning new material)

Origin & History

Compound of 练 (to practice, to drill) and 习 (to study, to review). Both characters reinforce the meaning of repeated learning.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal