锻炼 (duànliàn) — to exercise; to train; to temper
HSK 5 | verb/noun | physical exercise, mental training, or the tempering of character
锻炼 (duànliàn)
锻炼 describes physical exercise, the training of skills, or the tempering of character through challenging experience, and is one of the most common and versatile verbs in Chinese for personal development.
Meanings
- [verb] to exercise; to work out (physical fitness)
- [verb] to train; to develop; to temper (skills, willpower, or character)
- [noun] exercise; training; a workout
Example Sentences
他每天早晨坚持锻炼身体，保持了良好的健康状况。 Tā měi tiān zǎochén jiānchí duànliàn shēntǐ, bǎochíle liánghǎo de jiànkāng zhuàngkuàng. He insists on exercising every morning, maintaining good health.
适当的体育锻炼不仅增强体质，还能改善心理状态。 Shìdàng de tǐyù duànliàn bùjǐn zēngqiáng tǐzhì, hái néng gǎishàn xīnlǐ zhuàngtài. Appropriate physical exercise not only strengthens the body but also improves mental well-being.
这次实习经历很好地锻炼了她的沟通和团队合作能力。 Zhè cì shíxí jīnglì hěn hǎo de duànliànle tā de gōutōng hé tuánduì hézuò nénglì. This internship experience greatly tempered her communication and teamwork skills.
医生建议他每周进行至少三次有氧锻炼以控制血压。 Yīshēng jiànyì tā měi zhōu jìnxíng zhìshǎo sān cì yǒuyǎng duànliàn yǐ kòngzhì xuèyā. The doctor recommended that he do aerobic exercise at least three times a week to control his blood pressure.
艰苦的环境是锻炼人的最好课堂。 Jiānkǔ de huánjìng shì duànliàn rén de zuì hǎo kètáng. A harsh environment is the best classroom for tempering a person.
她通过长期锻炼意志力，逐渐克服了拖延的习惯。 Tā tōngguò chángqī duànliàn yìzhìlì, zhújiàn kèfúle tuōyán de xíguàn. Through long-term tempering of her willpower, she gradually overcame the habit of procrastination.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 体育锻炼 (tǐyù duànliàn) | physical exercise |
| 坚持锻炼 (jiānchí duànliàn) | persevere in exercising |
| 锻炼身体 (duànliàn shēntǐ) | exercise the body |
| 锻炼意志 (duànliàn yìzhì) | temper one's willpower |
| 锻炼能力 (duànliàn nénglì) | develop one's abilities |
| 有氧锻炼 (yǒuyǎng duànliàn) | aerobic exercise |
Usage Notes
锻炼 covers both physical fitness and the metaphorical "forging" of character or ability through practice and adversity, making it a broader term than 运动 (yùndòng, sport/physical activity). While 运动 focuses on the activity itself, 锻炼 emphasises the improving or strengthening effect.
The word 锻 originally means to forge metal by hammering, so 锻炼 carries the image of hammering and refining oneself into something stronger, applicable to muscles, skills, and willpower alike.
Memory Hook
锻 (to forge/hammer metal) + 炼 (to refine/smelt) = to forge and refine yourself like metal -- to work out and get stronger.