Meaning and Usage
"練習" (れんしゅう) means "practice" or "training" and is commonly used as a noun or a suru-verb (練習する). It refers to the act of repeatedly doing something to improve skills or prepare for an event.
Common Contexts
You will often hear it in contexts related to learning skills such as music, sports, language, or exams. For example, "ピアノを練習する" means "to practice the piano." It can also be used for mental practice, like solving problems repeatedly.
Collocations and Patterns
- 練習する: to practice (verb form)
- 練習問題: practice problems, often used in study or exam preparation
- 練習時間: practice time
- 練習を重ねる: to repeat practice many times, emphasizing effort
Register and Nuance
"練習" is neutral and appropriate in both casual and formal situations. It is a very common word for learners and native speakers alike.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "練習" with "勉強" (べんきょう), which means "study." "練習" focuses on skill improvement through repetition, while "勉強" is more about acquiring knowledge. For example, you "勉強する" for exams but "練習する" to improve a skill like speaking or playing an instrument.