Translation and Meaning of: 練習 - renshuu

The Japanese word 「練習」 (renshuu) is widely used to describe the idea of practice or training. The etymology of the word is composed of two kanji: 「練」 (ren) and 「習」 (shuu). The first kanji, 「練」, means "to refine" or "to practice," and the second, 「習」, means "to learn" or "to study." Thus, together, the kanji form the concept of "practicing to learn" or "refinement through learning." This combination of ideograms clearly reflects the essence of deliberate practice in Japanese culture.

The practice or training represented by 「練習」 is not limited to just physical activities, such as sports, but also encompasses areas such as music, academic studies, and artistic skills. In Japanese culture, there is a strong emphasis on continuous development and improvement through repetition and diligent effort. This aligns with the philosophy of continuous improvement, often known as 「改善」 (kaizen), where constant practice plays a crucial role.

The origin of 「練習」 can be traced back to the traditional learning school in Japan, where repetition and imitation were fundamental teaching methods. Masters of various arts, such as ikebana, sado (tea ceremony), and even martial arts, emphasize the importance of renshuu to achieve excellence. This consistent practice is seen as a path to personal growth and mastery in any discipline.

Furthermore, in contemporary society, the concept of 「練習」 continues to be valued, especially in educational and professional environments. It is seen as a tool for achieving and maintaining competence in complex tasks, as well as being an effective method for adapting to new situations and challenges. The use of deliberate practice, which involves conscious planning and execution, resonates strongly with the philosophy behind 「練習」.

In summary, 「練習」 encapsulates the importance of practice as a means of continuous learning and growth. It is a word that transcends its simple translation to represent a concept deeply rooted in the Japanese culture and philosophy of constant improvement through dedicated effort and repeated practice. Understanding and applying renshuu in various spheres of life can lead to significant personal development, reflecting the values of dedication and continuous growth celebrated in Japanese society.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 稽古 (Keiko) - Practice generally refers to training in martial arts or artistic activities.
• 修練 (Shūren) - Rigorous and disciplined training, often associated with the improvement of specific skills.
• 訓練 (Kunren) - Training, which can refer to a variety of contexts, such as military or educational training.
• トレーニング (Torēningu) - Term borrowed from English "training", used generally for any type of physical or professional training.

練習

Romaji: renshuu
Kana: れんしゅう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: practice

Meaning in English: practice

Definition: Practice something repeatedly to improve your skills and abilities.

Example Sentences - (練習) renshuu

See below some example sentences:

選手は勝つために練習しなければなりません。

Senshu wa katsu tame ni renshū shinakereba narimasen

Athletes must train to win.

Players must practice to win.

• 選手 - player/athlete
• は - Topic particle
• 勝つ - win
• ために - for
• 練習 - train/practice
• しなければなりません - must/needs to do

素人でも練習すれば上達する。

Sujin demo renshuu sureba joutatsu suru

Even being an amateur

If you practice even amateurs, it will improve.

• 素人 - means "amateur" or "beginner".
• でも - is a particle that can be translated as "but" or "however".
• 練習 - means "practice" or "training".
• すれば - is a conditional form of the verb "suru", which means "to do". In this case, the conditional form indicates that something will happen if a certain condition is met.
• 上達 - means "improve" or "progress".
• する - is the verb "suru", which means "to do".

彼は自分の能力を強めるために毎日練習している。

Kare wa jibun no nouryoku o tsuyomeru tame ni mainichi renshuu shite iru

He practices every day to strengthen his skills.

• 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "he".
• 自分 - Japanese pronoun meaning "oneself"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession, in this case "your"
• 能力 - Japanese noun meaning "skill" or "ability"
• を - Japanese particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "skill"
• 強める - Japanese verb meaning "to strengthen" or "to increase"
• ために - Japanese expression meaning "for" or "with the aim of"
• 毎日 - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
• 練習 - Japanese noun meaning "training" or "practice"
• している - continuous form of the Japanese verb "する", which means "to do"

慣れるまで練習しよう。

Nareru made renshuu shiyou

Practice until you get used to it.

• 慣れる - means "get used to" in Japanese.
• まで - means "until" in Japanese.
• 練習 - means "practice" or "training" in Japanese.
• しよう - is a form of the Japanese verb "to do", in the imperative, which means "let's do it".

私は毎日練習することで上達します。

Watashi wa mainichi renshuu suru koto de joutatsu shimasu

I improve by practicing every day.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
• 練習する - Japanese verb meaning "to practice"
• こと - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• で - Japanese particle that indicates the means or method used to perform the action, in this case, "practice"
• 上達します - Japanese verb meaning "improve" or "progress"

練習は成功への鍵です。

Renshuu wa seikou e no kagi desu

Practice is the key to success.

• 練習 - practice, training
• は - Topic particle
• 成功 - success
• へ - particle indicating direction
• の - Possession particle
• 鍵 - key
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present