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March 24, 2026
教练(教練)jiàoliàn(jiao4lian4)
教练 (jiàoliàn) refers to an instructor or coach, particularly in sports or training contexts. This term is commonly used to describe someone who teaches skills or strategies to athletes or participants in various activities. The word can also imply mentorship and guidance beyond just physical training.
Frequency#1384DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, the role of a coach is highly respected, especially in competitive sports. The influence of coaches is significant in Chinese sports culture, where success in international competitions is a source of national pride.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'coach' (教练) standing on the sidelines, shouting instructions to their team. The character 教 (jiào) looks like a person with arms raised, teaching, while 练 (liàn) suggests the idea of practicing or honing skills. Together, they form the image of a mentor helping others improve.
Meanings of 教练
jiàoliàn(jiao4lian4)
1instructor
2sports coach
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 教练
教练Simplified
教練Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#1384Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 教练
Podcast: 教练
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AI Study Notes for 教练
Quick Contrast
助教 (zhùjiào) - use 教练 for a primary coach or instructor, while 助教 refers to a teaching assistant who supports the main instructor.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'coach' (教练) standing on the sidelines, shouting instructions to their team. The character 教 (jiào) looks like a person with arms raised, teaching, while 练 (liàn) suggests the idea of practicing or honing skills. Together, they form the image of a mentor helping others improve.
Usage Notes
In casual conversation, the term can be used informally to refer to any type of instructor, but in formal settings, it specifically pertains to sports coaching. Learners often confuse 教练 with 教师 (jiàoshī), which means teacher, so it's important to remember the context. Common collocations include '体育教练' (sports coach) or '私人教练' (personal trainer).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 教练 connects to other terms related to education and training, making it essential for learners interested in sports or professional development. Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe roles and responsibilities within a team or training environment.
Cultural Note
In China, the role of a coach is highly respected, especially in competitive sports. The influence of coaches is significant in Chinese sports culture, where success in international competitions is a source of national pride.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 教练 to refer to academic teachers, which can lead to misunderstandings. For example, saying '我的教练教我数学' (My coach teaches me math) should be corrected to '我的老师教我数学' (My teacher teaches me math).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 教练
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Grammar Patterns of 教练
教练 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这位网球明星与他的奥地利____分道扬镳。
The tennis star has parted company with his Austrian trainer.
Example Sentences for 教练 (10)
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1
这位网球明星与他的奥地利教练分道扬镳。
zhè wèi wǎng qiú míng xīng yǔ tā de ào dì lì jiào liàn fēn dào yáng biāo。
The tennis star has parted company with his Austrian trainer.
2
任何称职的教练都会采取和我一模一样的行动。
rèn hé chēng zhí de jiào liàn dū huì cǎi qǔ hé wǒ yī mó yī yàng de háng dòng。
Any coach worth his salt would do exactly as I did.
3
这就是老被其他教练挑毛病的那个人。
zhè jiù shì lǎo bèi qí tā jiào liàn tiāo máo bìng de nà gè rén。
This was the man whom other trainers love to carp about.
Whichever of the fitness classes you opt for, trained instructors are there to help you.
5
他重新树立自己地位的机会因教练的战术而流产了。
tā zhòng xīn shù lì zì jǐ dì wèi de jī huì yīn jiào liàn de zhàn shù ér liú chǎn le。
His opportunity to re-establish himself had been nobbled by the manager's tactics.
6
教练员说除前场与中场的位置以外,他不担心其他别的位置; 前场与中场的位置是困难所在.
jiào liàn yuán shuō chú qián cháng yǔ zhōng cháng de wèi zhì yǐ wài, , tā bù dān xīn qí tā bié de wèi; zhì ; qián cháng yǔ zhōng cháng de wèi zhì shì kùn nán.
The coach said he wasn't worried about any position except quarterback; that was where the shoe pinches.
7
她的教练骑着一辆摩托慢慢跟随着她为她测步速.
tā de jiào liàn qí zháo yī liàng mó tuō màn màn gēn suí zháo tā wéi tā cè bù sù.
Her trainer paced her on a motorcar following her slowly.
8
弗朗西斯最终成为英格兰队主教练的几率可能更高。当然，现在这样说为时尚早，他还没赢过呢。
fú lǎng xī sī zuì zhōng chéng wéi yīng gé lán duì zhǔ jiào liàn de jī shuài kě néng gēng gāo。 。 dāng， rán ， xiàn zài zhè yàng shuō wéi shí， shàng zǎo ， tā huán méi。
The chances of Francis eventually becoming manager of England are perhaps higher. It is early days, of course, and he has yet to win anything.
9
教练由于队员输了把他们痛斥了一顿.
jiào liàn yóu yú duì yuán shū le bǎ tā mén tòng chì le yī dùn.
The coach cussed out the team for losing the game.
10
汤姆长大后想当教练.
tāng mǔ cháng dà hòu xiǎng dāng jiào liàn.
Tom wants to be a coach when he grows up.
Cultural Notes for 教练
🏮Cultural insight
In China, the role of a coach is highly respected, especially in competitive sports. The influence of coaches is significant in Chinese sports culture, where success in international competitions is a source of national pride.
Frequently Asked Questions about 教练
教练 refers specifically to a coach or instructor in sports, while 教师 is a general term for a teacher in an educational context.
Yes, but it is more formal when used in the context of sports or professional training.
While it can be used more broadly, it's best to use 教练 for sports contexts to avoid confusion.
