to practice; exercise
HSK level
练习 is written with 11 strokes (练: 8, 习: 3). The animation replays automatically.
练习 (liànxí) works as both a verb ('to practice') and a noun ('an exercise / practice drill').
As a verb, it takes a direct object: 练习中文 (practice Chinese), 练习钢琴 (practice piano), 练习写字 (practice writing). The focus is on repetition for skill improvement, the way you'd practice an instrument, a language, or a sport. As a noun, 练习 means a specific exercise or drill in a textbook: 这个练习很难 ('this exercise is hard'), 做练习 ('do exercises').
The two characters 练 ('train / drill') and 习 ('habit / familiarize') reinforce each other — practice is repeated training until something becomes a habit. For English speakers: don't confuse 练习 (skill practice, study drills) with 锻炼 (duànliàn, 'physical exercise / work out the body') or 运动 (yùndòng, 'sports / exercise as activity'). You 练习 a language; you 锻炼 your body.
Character by character
Memory hook: 练 (drill) + 习 (habit) — drill it until it becomes a habit.
我每天练习中文。
Wǒ měi tiān liànxí Zhōngwén.
I practice Chinese every day.
neutral
这个练习有点难。
Zhège liànxí yǒudiǎn nán.
This exercise is a bit hard.
spoken
想说得好，就要多练习。
Xiǎng shuō de hǎo, jiù yào duō liànxí.
If you want to speak well, you have to practice more.
neutral
老师让我们做三个练习。
Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen zuò sān ge liànxí.
The teacher had us do three exercises.
neutral
练 alone is the short, casual one-syllable verb. 练琴 ('practice piano'), 练球 ('practice ball sports'). 练习 is more formal and complete, common in textbooks and instruction.
Acquire it by listening
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