苦练

• Pinyin: kǔ liàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 苦 = bitter/hard; 练 = 纟(silk) + 柬 (select) — to refine/practice

Meaning

To practice hard; to train rigorously. Dedicated, strenuous practice to improve a skill.

Implies disciplined, often grueling practice over an extended period. Used for sports, arts, martial arts, or any skill requiring intensive training. Emphasizes the hardship and persistence involved.

Examples

1. 她苦练钢琴十年，终于登上了国际舞台。 She practiced piano rigorously for ten years and finally made it to the international stage.
2. 运动员们每天苦练八小时，备战奥运会。 The athletes train hard for eight hours every day, preparing for the Olympics.
3. 要想练好书法，必须苦练基本功。 To master calligraphy, you must practice the fundamentals intensively.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, arts, skill development

Tone: admiring

Do Say

• 他苦练了三年才达到这个水平。(He trained hard for three years to reach this level.)
• 台上一分钟，台下苦练十年功。(One minute on stage takes ten years of hard practice.)

Don't Say

• 用苦练形容轻松的练习，如'苦练了五分钟'。(Don't use 苦练 for brief or casual practice — it implies prolonged, serious effort)

Origin & History

Compound of 苦 (bitter/hard) + 练 (practice/train). Literally 'bitter practice.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal