实践

• Pinyin: shí jiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 实 = real, solid; 践 = to tread, carry out — practice, praxis

Meaning

Practice; to put into practice; praxis. The application of theory through action and experience.

A key concept in Marxist philosophy widely used in Chinese discourse. Emphasizes learning through doing rather than pure theory. Common expressions: 实践出真知 (practice yields true knowledge), 社会实践 (social practice). Can be both verb (to practice) and noun (practice, praxis).

Examples

1. 实践是检验真理的唯一标准。 Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.
2. 大学生暑假参加社会实践活动很有意义。 It's meaningful for college students to participate in social practice activities during summer vacation.
3. 光有理论不够，还需要在工作中实践。 Theory alone is not enough — you also need to put it into practice at work.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, philosophical, professional

Tone: intellectual

Do Say

• 这个理论需要在实践中验证。(This theory needs to be verified through practice.)
• 他在实践中积累了丰富的经验。(He accumulated rich experience through practice.)

Don't Say

• 日常练习用'练习'更自然 (For everyday practice or exercises, use 练习 — 实践 implies applying theory to real-world action)

Origin & History

Compound of 实 (real, solid) + 践 (to tread, carry out). Together meaning to carry out in reality, to practice.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated