Definition
炼 (liàn) means 'to smelt (metal)' or 'to refine (skills, writing)' — a general verb for heat-based processing and figurative honing. 提炼 (tíliàn) adds the sense of extraction and is often used for substances/essence; 磨炼 (móliàn) specifically means to temper oneself through hardship.
verb
to refine (skills, writing, etc.)to smelt (metal)
Easily confused
- 灰huīlook-alike(noun) ash; dust; lime (powdery substance)
- 连liánsound-alike(verb) to connect; to join; to link
- 灭mièlook-aliketo extinguish, to put out (a fire, light, etc.)
- 脸liǎnsound-alikeface
- 练liànsound-aliketo practice, to train (a skill)
Examples
- 炼。Zhè jiā gōngchǎng měitiān liàn hěn duō gāng.This factory smelts a lot of steel every day.
- 。Wǒmen chī de yóu xūyào jīngguò duō cì tí liàn.The oil we eat needs to go through multiple rounds of refining.
- 。Tā bú duàn mó liàn zìjǐ de gōutōng nénglì.He constantly hones his communication skills.
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