liànxí: 练习 - to practice, to exercise; exercise, practice

• Keywords: lianxi, liànxí, 练习, how to say practice in Chinese, Chinese for exercise, practice Chinese, language practice, Chinese character practice, Chinese homework, do exercises in Chinese, learn Chinese.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 练习 (liànxí), one of the most essential words for anyone learning Chinese. This page explains how `liànxí` is used for everything from “practice” and “drills” to “exercises” in a textbook. Learn its cultural importance, see 10 practical example sentences, and understand the key difference between `liànxí` (practicing a skill) and `duànliàn` (working out). Master `liànxí` to understand the core of the Chinese learning philosophy.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): liànxí
• Part of Speech: Verb; Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: To repeatedly perform an action to improve a skill (to practice); a task or drill designed to improve a skill (an exercise).
• In a Nutshell: `练习` is the heart of “learning by doing” in Chinese. It refers to the active, repetitive effort you put in to master something, whether it's practicing piano scales, writing Chinese characters over and over, or completing the exercises at the end of a textbook chapter. It's the “work” part of homework and the “drill” part of skill-building.

• 练 (liàn): This character means “to practice” or “to refine.” The radical on the left, 纟(sī), is the “silk” radical, suggesting a process of refining or processing something raw into something fine. The right side, 柬 (jiǎn), contributes to the sound. Think of it as refining a skill through practice, just like refining silk.
• 习 (xí): This is a beautiful pictograph for “to practice” or “to study.” The top part, 羽 (yǔ), means “wings.” The character depicts a young bird flapping its wings again and again, learning to fly. It perfectly captures the idea of repeated practice leading to mastery.
• Combined: Together, 练习 (liànxí) combines the idea of “refining a skill” (练) with “repeatedly learning like a bird” (习). This creates a powerful word that emphasizes diligent, consistent effort as the path to competence.

In Chinese culture, particularly in education, `练习` holds a place of immense importance. It's not just a chore; it's a virtuous and necessary path to success. The concept is deeply embedded in the famous idiom 熟能生巧 (shú néng shēng qiǎo), which is the direct equivalent of “practice makes perfect.” In the West, “practice” or “drills” can sometimes be seen as uncreative, rote work that stands in contrast to “true understanding” or “creativity.” However, in the Chinese context, `练习` is viewed as the fundamental bedrock upon which all higher understanding and creativity are built. You cannot be a creative calligrapher without first doing endless `练习` of basic strokes. You cannot have a deep discussion in Chinese without first doing countless `口语练习` (kǒuyǔ liànxí - speaking practice). This belief connects to the cultural value of 吃苦 (chī kǔ), or “eating bitterness.” The willingness to endure the hardship and repetition of `练习` is seen as a sign of strong character and a prerequisite for achieving any meaningful goal. It's the tangible action that demonstrates one's commitment to learning.

`练习` is an everyday word used in many contexts, primarily related to learning and skill development.

• As a Noun (an exercise/practice): It often follows the verb 做 (zuò), meaning “to do.”
  • `做练习` (zuò liànxí) - to do exercises (e.g., from a textbook).
  • `听力练习` (tīnglì liànxí) - listening practice/exercises.
  • `语法练习` (yǔfǎ liànxí) - grammar practice/exercises.
• As a Verb (to practice): It is used directly with an object.
  • `练习汉字` (liànxí hànzì) - to practice Chinese characters.
  • `练习开车` (liànxí kāichē) - to practice driving.
  • `练习发音` (liànxí fāyīn) - to practice pronunciation.

The word is neutral in connotation and is used in both formal (classroom) and informal (at home) settings.

• Example 1:
  • 我每天都练习写汉字。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měitiān dōu liànxí xiě hànzì.
  • English: I practice writing Chinese characters every day.
  • Analysis: Here, `练习` is used as a verb meaning “to practice” a specific skill (writing characters). This is a classic example for a language learner.
• Example 2:
  • 老师今天给了我们很多练习。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī jīntiān gěile wǒmen hěn duō liànxí.
  • English: The teacher gave us a lot of exercises today.
  • Analysis: In this sentence, `练习` is a noun referring to the countable exercises or problems assigned as homework.
• Example 3:
  • 我们来做一些口语练习吧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen lái zuò yīxiē kǒuyǔ liànxí ba.
  • English: Let's do some speaking practice.
  • Analysis: A very common phrase in a language class. `做…练习` (zuò…liànxí) means “to do…practice.”
• Example 4:
  • 你需要多练习，你的发音才会进步。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào duō liànxí, nǐ de fāyīn cái huì jìnbù.
  • English: You need to practice more, only then will your pronunciation improve.
  • Analysis: `多练习` (duō liànxí) is a common piece of advice, meaning “practice more.”
• Example 5:
  • 这个练习太难了，我不会做。
  • Pinyin: Zhège liànxí tài nán le, wǒ bù huì zuò.
  • English: This exercise is too difficult, I don't know how to do it.
  • Analysis: `练习` is used here as a noun to refer to a single, specific problem or task.
• Example 6:
  • 他每天下午都去体育馆练习篮球。
  • Pinyin: Tā měitiān xiàwǔ dōu qù tǐyùguǎn liànxí lánqiú.
  • English: He goes to the gym every afternoon to practice basketball.
  • Analysis: This shows `练习` being used for a physical skill or sport. It refers to practicing the specific skills of the sport, like dribbling or shooting.
• Example 7:
  • 中国人常说“熟能生巧”，意思就是练习很重要。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó rén cháng shuō “shú néng shēng qiǎo”, yìsi jiùshì liànxí hěn zhòngyào.
  • English: Chinese people often say “practice makes perfect,” which means that practice is very important.
  • Analysis: This sentence explicitly connects the word `练习` to its underlying cultural concept.
• Example 8:
  • 考试前，我们应该做一些模拟练习。
  • Pinyin: Kǎoshì qián, wǒmen yīnggāi zuò yīxiē mónǐ liànxí.
  • English: Before the exam, we should do some mock exercises.
  • Analysis: `模拟练习` (mónǐ liànxí) means “simulation exercises” or “practice tests,” a very practical term for students.
• Example 9:
  • 我的弟弟正在练习弹钢琴。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de dìdi zhèngzài liànxí tán gāngqín.
  • English: My younger brother is practicing playing the piano.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of `练习` for practicing a musical instrument.
• Example 10:
  • 这个App有很多听力练习，对学习很有帮助。
  • Pinyin: Zhège App yǒu hěn duō tīnglì liànxí, duì xuéxí hěn yǒu bāngzhù.
  • English: This app has a lot of listening exercises; it's very helpful for studying.
  • Analysis: A modern context, showing how `练习` (as a noun) is used to describe content within an application.

The most common point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between `练习` and `锻炼 (duànliàn)`.

• 练习 (liànxí): Focuses on skill acquisition. You practice something to get better *at that specific thing*. It can be mental (math problems) or physical (basketball drills, playing guitar).
• 锻炼 (duànliàn): Focuses on improving general physical health and fitness. This is the word you use for “working out,” “exercising,” or “training” your body to be stronger or healthier.

Example of a common mistake:

• Incorrect: 我要去健身房练习。 (Wǒ yào qù jiànshēnfáng liànxí.)
• Why it's wrong: This sounds like you are going to the gym to practice a specific skill, like a gymnastics routine. If you just mean “to work out,” it's incorrect.
• Correct: 我要去健身房锻炼。 (Wǒ yào qù jiànshēnfáng duànliàn.)

You can, however, `练习` (practice) specific exercises as part of your `锻炼` (workout). For example, “Today at the gym, I'm going to practice my deadlifts” (今天在健身房我要练习硬拉 - Jīntiān zài jiànshēnfáng wǒ yào liànxí yìng lā). The focus is on perfecting the *technique* of the deadlift.

• 锻炼 (duànliàn) - To exercise or work out for physical health. Differentiated by its focus on general fitness rather than specific skills.
• 学习 (xuéxí) - The general term for “to study” or “to learn.” `练习` is a key component of `学习`.
• 复习 (fùxí) - To review learned material. You `复习` by reading notes, and you `练习` by doing problems.
• 作业 (zuòyè) - Homework. Your `作业` will almost always contain `练习`.
• 训练 (xùnliàn) - To train. This is more formal and intense than `练习`, often used in professional, athletic, or military contexts (e.g., astronaut training).
• 实习 (shíxí) - Internship; to work as an intern. This is a form of practice in a real-world professional environment.
• 熟能生巧 (shú néng shēng qiǎo) - A very common idiom meaning “practice makes perfect.” It is the philosophical justification for doing a lot of `练习`.
• 用功 (yònggōng) - To be hardworking or diligent (in one's studies). Someone who does a lot of `练习` is considered `用功`.