Meet 練 in words for repeated practice, structured training and careful preparation.

The idea

練 has 14 strokes; follow the linked diagram. Read 練習（れんしゅう）, 訓練（くんれん） and 練る（ねる） as whole words. 練習する takes the skill or activity with を.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
練習れんしゅうI practise piano every day.
訓練くんれんThe firefighters took part in a training exercise.
練るねるI am working out a plan for the trip.

Examples

  • 毎日まいにちピアノを練習れんしゅうします。I practise piano every day.
  • 先生せんせいと発音はつおんを練習れんしゅうしました。We practised pronunciation with the teacher.
  • チームは試合しあいに向むけて練習れんしゅうしています。The team is practising for the match.
  • 消防士しょうぼうしたちは訓練くんれんに参加さんかしました。The firefighters took part in a training exercise.
  • 旅行りょこうの計画けいかくを練ねっています。I am working out a plan for the trip.
  • 生地きじをよく練ねってください。Knead the dough well.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

練習 is general practice; 訓練 often means structured training for a task. 練る can mean kneading dough or working out a plan. Do not confuse 練 with 連.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 練習 in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    れんしゅう

    練習 is れんしゅう: the piano sentence describes regular practice.

  2. Write the reading of 訓練 in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    くんれん

    訓練 is くんれん: the firefighters took part in a training exercise.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿習（れんしゅう）［練／連］.

    Show answer or example answer

    練

    練 completes 練習（れんしゅう）; 連 is a different character.

Use it today

Write 練 following the diagram, cover the table and recall both compound readings. Then make a sentence with 練習する.