Definition
练 (liàn) means 'to practice a specific skill' (e.g., 练篮球, 练字) and is used directly with the skill as object. 练习 (liàn xí) as a verb is more general and often used as a noun ('exercise, practice'), while 锻炼 (duàn liàn) refers to physical exercise or building willpower, not skill practice. So 练 is your go-to verb for honing a particular ability.
verb
to practiceto train (a skill)
Easily confused
- 经jīnglook-aliketo pass through; to go through (a place, time, or experience)
- 连liánsound-alike(verb) to connect; to join; to link
- 细xìlook-alikethin, slender
- 脸liǎnsound-alikeface
- 继jìlook-alikethen, afterwards (conjunction linking sequential actions or events in formal/written Chinese)
- 炼liànsound-aliketo refine (skills, writing, etc.)
- 红hónglook-alikered (color)
Examples
- 练。Wǒ měi tiān liàn yí gè xiǎoshí lánqiú.I practice basketball for an hour every day.
- 练？Nǐ liàn guo hànzì ma?Have you practiced writing Chinese characters before?
- 练。Tā liàn de hěn rènzhēn.He practices very seriously.
Browse more HSK 3 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.