Meaning
锻炼 means to exercise or work out, referring to physical training that strengthens the body. It can also be used metaphorically to mean tempering or toughening oneself through challenges and experience. The word emphasizes the process of strengthening through repeated practice or training.
Usage
锻炼 is commonly used when talking about physical exercise, going to the gym, or maintaining fitness. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. Native speakers often use it with time expressions like 每天锻炼 (exercise every day) or with specific activities like 锻炼身体 (exercise one's body). It carries a positive connotation of self-improvement and discipline.
Examples
- 01我每天早上都去公园锻炼身体。.I go to the park every morning to exercise.
- 02医生建议他多锻炼，少吃油腻的食物。, .The doctor advised him to exercise more and eat less greasy food.
Characters
Common collocations
- 锻炼身体to exercise one's body
- 体育锻炼physical exercise
- 坚持锻炼to persist in exercising
- 经常锻炼to exercise regularly
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters originally relate to metalworking: 锻 means to forge or hammer metal, and 炼 means to smelt or refine. Together, they metaphorically describe the process of strengthening and refining the body through exercise, just as metal is strengthened through forging and tempering.