practice · refine

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 練 has 14 strokes and expresses practicing, training, or refining.
• Basic usage: 練習 is read れんしゅう, and 訓練 is read くんれん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 練習 and 訓練
  • 練習 means practice.
  • 放課後に合唱の練習をした。 means “We practiced singing as a choir after school.”
  • 訓練 means training or drill.
  • 学校で地震を想定した訓練を行った。 means “The school conducted an earthquake drill.”