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Meaning Index

Chinese characters meaning "to train"

Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "to train", including 练 (liàn), 训 (xùn). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…

How to Study This Meaning Group

The English word "to train" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 练 (liàn), 训 (xùn) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span liàn, xùn — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 练 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.

  • 练 liànto practice; to train; to perfect (one's skill); to drillUseful words: 练习, 训练
  • 训 xùnexample; pattern; to teach; to train; instructionUseful words: 训练, 教训

Common words for these 2 "to train" characters

Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 练 (liàn) — so "to train" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.

See each character in a sentence

Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "to train".

liàn — to practice; to train; to perfect (one's skill); to drill

想把字写好,就要多练习。Xiǎng bǎ zì xiě hǎo, jiù yào duō liàn xí.If you want to write characters well, you need to practice more.

Common words: 练习 (liàn xí)、训练 (xùn liàn)、教练 (jiào liàn)

xùn — example; pattern; to teach; to train; instruction

消防队员每天都要进行训练。Xiāo fáng duì yuán měi tiān dōu yào jìn xíng xùn liàn.Firefighters undergo training every day.

Common words: 训练 (xùn liàn)、教训 (jiào xun)、培训 (péi xùn)

All 2 characters

Open 练、训 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.