Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
练 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
练
liàn
to practice
HSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2280, Medium
练
liàn
to train
HSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2280, Medium
练
liàn
to drill
HSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2280, Medium
练
liàn
to perfect (one's skill)
HSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2280, Medium
练
liàn
exercise
HSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2280, Medium
练
liàn
to drill, to exercise; to practice, to train
HSK 3, v, 8 strokes, radical 纟, rank #2280, Medium
liàn(lian4)lian T4
1to practice
2to train
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
练(練)liàn(lian4)
The character 练 (liàn) means 'to practice' or 'to train.' It is commonly used in contexts involving skill development, such as practicing a musical instrument or training in a sport. It conveys a sense of repetition and improvement over time.
Strokes8Radical纟Frequency#2280DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 练 is deeply embedded in traditional arts such as martial arts (功夫, gōngfu) where continuous practice is seen as essential to mastery. This reflects the broader value placed on diligence and perseverance in Chinese society.
Memory tip
Imagine a person practicing their skills so much that they're 'drilling' their abilities into their mind. The character 练 consists of the 'cow' radical 牜 (indicating effort or labor) and the component 练, which looks like a person working hard to perfect their craft.
Meanings of 练
liàn(lian4)
1to practice
2to train
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 练 means.
About 练
练Simplified
練Traditional
8Strokes
纟Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2280Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 练
Podcast: 练
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 练
Quick Contrast
练 (liàn) vs 教 (jiāo) — use 练 when focusing on self-practice, while 教 emphasizes teaching others.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of using 练 in overly formal contexts; it is more suitable for everyday conversation. Common collocations include 练习 (liànxí, to practice) and 练武 (liànwǔ, to train in martial arts). Remember that the second tone of 练 can often be mistakenly pronounced with a neutral tone.
HSK Study Tips
练 is relevant for HSK Level 3 as it connects well with other action verbs taught at this level. Focus on the context in which you use 练, as it pairs naturally with terms for skills and activities, enhancing your vocabulary around practice and training.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 练 with 学 (xué), which means 'to study.' For example, saying '我练中文' (Wǒ liàn zhōngwén) may imply you are practicing rather than studying the language. The correct phrase to express learning is '我学中文' (Wǒ xué zhōngwén).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 练
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 练, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 练 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 练?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 练 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
练 = 纟 + 柬. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 练
IDS Structure⿰纟柬
练Full character
=
纟si1
left
柬Jian3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 练?
How to say to practice in Chinese
“to practice” in Chinese is练liàn
The character 练 (liàn) means 'to practice' or 'to train.' It is commonly used in contexts involving skill development, such as practicing a musical instrument or training in a sport. It conveys a sense of repetition and improvement over time.
When to use 练
Be cautious of using 练 in overly formal contexts; it is more suitable for everyday conversation. Common collocations include 练习 (liànxí, to practice) and 练武 (liànwǔ, to train in martial arts). Remember that the second tone of 练 can often be mistakenly pronounced with a neutral tone.
练 or something close to it
练 (liàn) vs 教 (jiāo) — use 练 when focusing on self-practice, while 教 emphasizes teaching others.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 练 with 学 (xué), which means 'to study.' For example, saying '我练中文' (Wǒ liàn zhōngwén) may imply you are practicing rather than studying the language. The correct phrase to express learning is '我学中文' (Wǒ xué zhōngwén).
Write 练
练
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 练 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 练
练 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
My professional training has taught me to look at things logically.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 练?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 练
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the concept of '练' goes beyond just practice. It embodies the idea of perseverance and dedication to mastering skills, often seen in martial arts, music, and traditional crafts.
📜Proverb
Practice makes perfect (熟能生巧), is a common saying in Chinese culture that emphasizes the importance of consistent practice in achieving mastery.
Word Family of 练
Words containing this character20
训练xùnliànto train訓練
教练jiàoliàninstructor教練
练liànto train練
练习liànxíto practice練習
排练páiliànto rehearse排練
熟练shúliànpracticed熟練
演练yǎnliàndrill演練
磨练móliànto temper oneself磨練
教练员jiàoliànyuánsports coach教練員
苦练kǔliànto train hard苦練
老练lǎoliànseasoned老練
练兵liànbīngto drill troops練兵
干练gànliàncapable and experienced幹練
练功liàngōngto practice work skill練功
晨练chénliànmorning exercise晨練
操练cāoliàndrill操練
练习场liànxíchǎngdriving range (golf)練習場
陪练péiliàntraining partner陪練
简练jiǎnliànterse簡練
精练jīngliàn(textiles) to scour精練
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 练
What does 训练 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 练
Common phrases with 练 include '练习' (liànxí), meaning 'to practice', and '训练' (xùnliàn), meaning 'to train'. These phrases are often used in educational and athletic contexts.
练 (liàn) focuses on the act of practicing or training, while 习 (xí), often seen in 练习, emphasizes learning or habitual action. Both are essential for language acquisition and skill development.
练 (liàn) means 'to practice' or 'to train'. It is often used in the context of perfecting a skill or engaging in exercise. This character is commonly found in phrases related to training or rehearsal.
You can use 练 in sentences like '我每天练中文' (Wǒ měitiān liàn zhōngwén), which means 'I practice Chinese every day.' It can also be used in contexts like '练习' (liànxí) which means 'to practice' or 'to exercise'.
You can say '我每天练习中文' (Wǒ měitiān liànxí zhōngwén) which means 'I practice Chinese every day.'
No, 练 can refer to practicing any skill, including academic subjects, musical instruments, and sports.
练 emphasizes the act of practicing or drilling a skill, while 习 (xí) generally means to learn or study.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 练?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
