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训练有素 (xùn liàn yǒu sù) — well-trained, disciplined

Definition

A set phrase meaning 'well-trained, disciplined' — used of troops, athletes, or staff who have had thorough training and show it in their performance. Closer to 'highly trained' than simply 'experienced'.

verb
well-traineddisciplined

Examples

  • 训练有素，。
    Zhè zhī jūn duì xùn liàn yǒu sù, zhàn dòu lì hěn qiáng.
    This army is well-trained and has strong combat effectiveness.
  • 训练有素。
    Tā shì yì míng xùn liàn yǒu sù de yùn dòng yuán.
    He is a well-trained athlete.
  • 训练有素，。
    Yuán gōng men xùn liàn yǒu sù, gōng zuò xiào lǜ hěn gāo.
    The employees are well-trained and work very efficiently.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 訓; 训 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánspeech
Sound part声符shēngfú
川
川chuān訓xùn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For 训, the traditional form 訓 puts 言 (speech) beside 川, a sound part, and conveys preaching a teaching.

Open 训 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 練; 练 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
柬
柬jiǎn練liàn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 練 has 糸, silk, and 柬, which gives the sound. The simplified 练 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not historical.

Open 练 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
肉肉ròumeat
Sound part声符shēngfú
又
又yòu有yǒu
Same sound today

The form 有 combines 又, used for its sound, with a shape from 肉, 'meat'; the hand-holding-meat story is a folk explanation, not shown in the oldest shape.

Open 有 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 素 came from a picture of hands braiding thread.

Open 素 →
Appears in
Personality & Traits

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