(xùn) — to train, to drill (skills, often physically); to admonish, to scold (from a position of authority)

Definition

训 covers two senses: training (drills, skills) and scolding from authority — harsher and more physical-discipline focused than 教 or 教育 ('teach/educate'). For scolding, it sits between 骂 (casual cursing) and 警告 (formal warning).

verb
to trainto drill (skills, often physically)to admonishto scold (from a position of authority)

Examples

  • Lǎo bǎn bǎ tā jiào dào bàn gōng shì xùn le yí dùn.
    The boss called him into the office and gave him a scolding.
  • Jiào guān měi tiān xùn xīn bīng sān gè xiǎo shí
    The drill instructor trains the new recruits for three hours every day.
  • Mā ma yīn wèi chéng jì bù hǎo xùn le wǒ.
    Mom scolded me because of my poor grades.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
yánspeech
Sound part声符shēngfú
chuānxùn
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.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.