训练 (xùn liàn) — to train; to drill

Definition

训练 focuses on building skill through systematic, often supervised coaching (athletes, soldiers, dogs). 练习 is more general solo practice; 培训 is formal institutional training.

verb
to trainto drill
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 训练。
    Tā měi tiān xùn liàn liǎng gè xiǎo shí.
    He trains for two hours every day.
  • 训练。
    Jiào liàn zhèng zài xùn liàn xīn xué shēng.
    The coach is training new students.
  • 训练。
    Zhè zhī gǒu bèi xùn liàn dé hěn hǎo.
    This dog is very well trained.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

训xùnteach
练liànpractice

训 means to teach and 练 means to practice, so together they express training.

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 →
Appears in
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