Character

炼

liàn HSK 3

炼 liàn HSK 3

1. to refine or temper (a substance) by heating
2. to smelt or fire with flames
3. to carefully hone words or sentences for conciseness and elegance
4. a surname

Words using 炼 as liàn (3)

1 锻炼 duàn liàn — to exercise, to work out, to temper HSK 3
- 锻 to forge, to temper (contributes the idea of strengthening)
- 炼 to refine, to train (contributes the idea of training/refining)
Example

我每天早上都去公园锻炼。

wǒ měi tiān zǎo shang dōu qù gōng yuán duàn liàn

I go to the park to exercise every morning.
2 提炼 tí liàn — to refine HSK 7
- 提 to extract, to draw out
- 炼 to refine, to purify through processing
Example

科学家从植物中提炼出有效成分。

kē xué jiā cóng zhí wù zhōng tí liàn chū yǒu xiào chéng fèn

Scientists refine effective components from plants.
3 磨炼 mó liàn — to temper; to steel; to toughen HSK 7
- 磨 to grind; to wear down through friction
- 炼 to refine; to temper through fire
Example

这些困难磨炼了我的意志。

zhè xiē kùn nán mó liàn le wǒ de yì zhì

These difficulties have tempered my will.

Structure & writing

炼 liàn — to refine or temper (a substance) by heating

炼 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1 火 huǒ — light and flame from burning; fig. urgent

火 is a component in 45 characters

HSK 3

灯 dēng lamp; light (device for illumination or using light for a purpose) 炼 liàn to refine or temper (a substance) by heating 烧 shāo to set on fire; to burn 秋 qiū autumn; fall (third season of the year)

HSK 4

伙 huǒ meals; food provisions 烟 yān smoke; gas mixed with residual particles produced by combustion 烤 kǎo to roast, bake, or toast (food near a heat source) 烦 fán vexed, irritated

HSK 5

灵 líng flexible; nimble; agile 炒 chǎo to stir-fry (cook by stirring ingredients in hot oil in a wok) 炸 zhà to burst or explode with a loud sound 燃 rán to burn; to be on fire

HSK 6

灭 miè go out; stop burning or shining (opposite of 着) 灾 zāi disaster caused by nature or human activity 炎 yán extremely hot (of weather) 烂 làn soft and mushy (of a solid whose structure is broken down or water content increased) 烫 tàng to scald; to burn (skin on contact with something hot)

Show more HSK 6 characters (+3)

煤 méi coal (black combustible solid formed from ancient plants under heat and pressure) 燥 zào dry; lacking moisture 爆 bào to burst or explode suddenly

HSK 7

灶 zào stove or cooking range made of brick, earth, stone, or metal 灸 jiǔ moxibustion; to burn or cauterize acupoints with moxa sticks as a traditional Chinese medical treatment 灼 zhuó to burn; to scorch with fire 灿 càn bright; radiant; dazzling 炉 lú stove; furnace (for cooking, heating water, warming, or smelting)

Show more HSK 7 characters (+20)

炊 chuī to cook (a meal), to make a fire for cooking 炖 dùn to stew (bring to a boil then simmer until tender, usually meat) 炫 xuàn (lit.) to dazzle (the eyes with intense light) 炬 jù torch 炮 pào cannon; artillery piece (caliber above 2 cm, firing shells; includes mortars, howitzers, cannons, anti-aircraft guns, etc.) 烁 shuò gleaming; glittering 烘 hōng to warm or dry by fire, electricity, or steam 烛 zhú candle, a wax object with a wick used for lighting 焕 huàn bright; radiant 焙 bèi to roast or dry over a slow fire in a vessel 焚 fén to burn 焰 yàn flame 煌 huáng bright; glowing 煲 bāo (dial.) a deep pot with steep sides 煽 shān same as "扇" 熄 xī to extinguish; (of fire) to go out 熨 yùn to iron (clothes) with a flat iron or clothes iron 耿 gěng (lit.) bright; luminous 荧 yíng (lit.) dim; faintly glowing 赤 chì red; a shade slightly lighter than vermilion

2 柬 jiǎn — general term for letters, cards, and invitations

柬 is a component in 4 characters

HSK 3

炼 liàn to refine or temper (a substance) by heating 练 liàn (lit.) white processed silk

HSK 7

拣 jiǎn to choose; to select 澜 lán large waves; billows

Stroke order