实习
shí xí
In Chinese, the English phrase "practice" is translated as 实习 (shí xí).
实习 refers to a period of time spent working in a professional field to gain practical experience, typically for students or trainees. To express the act of undertaking a professional practice period, you will typically use the verb 去 (to go) or 做 (to do) with 实习, such as in the phrase 去实习 (to go to an internship) or 做实习 (to do an internship).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 实习 is composed of 实 (shí), meaning 'real' or 'solid' and 习 (xí), meaning 'to practice' or 'to study'.
Which one should you use?
实习 specifically refers to professional work experience or an internship. If you mean practicing a skill, such as a musical instrument or a language, use 练习. For more formal contexts involving practical training or putting theory into practice, use 实践. If you are referring to training or disciplined exercise, use 训练. In informal student contexts, the term 刷题 is often used to mean practicing problems or solving exercises.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can turn the verb or noun 实习 into a person (an intern) by adding the suffix 生 (shēng), which denotes a person or student, to create 实习生.
How do you pronounce it?
shí xí
Did you know?
- The character 习 in 实习 originally depicted a young bird flapping its wings to learn how to fly.
- While 实习 is used for professional internships, the term 刷题 (literally 'brushing problems') is a common slang term among students for the repetitive practice of exam questions.
- In Chinese corporate culture, an 实习生 (intern) often has a distinct status where they are treated as students first and employees second, which can affect their legal rights and benefits.
Examples in context
- 我每天都在练习汉语口语。(Wǒ měitiān dōu zài liànxí hànyǔ kǒuyǔ.)I practice spoken Chinese every day.
- 为了提高我的技能，我需要更多实践。(Wèile tígāo wǒ de jìnéng, wǒ xūyào gèng duō shíjiàn.)To improve my skills, I need more practice.
- 我要练一下钢琴。(Wǒ yào liàn yīxià gāngqín.)I want to practice the piano for a bit.
- 我每天晚上都刷题到很晚。(Wǒ měitiān wǎnshàng dōu shuātí dào hěn wǎn.)I practice problems until late every night.
- 他在一家大公司实习。Tā zài yī jiā dà gōngsī shíxí.He is doing an internship at a large company.
- 我的实习结束了。Wǒ de shíxí jiéshù le.My internship has ended.
- 你想去哪里实习？Nǐ xiǎng qù nǎlǐ shíxí?Where do you want to do your internship?
Example conversation
Two students talking about their summer plans.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，你暑假打算做什么？Wěi, nǐ shǔjià dǎsuàn zuò shénme?Wei, what do you plan to do this summer break?
- 伟 Wei我想找一份实习。Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo yī fèn shíxí.I want to find an internship.
- 雨婷 Yuting你想在哪个行业实习？Nǐ xiǎng zài nǎge hángyè shíxí?Which industry do you want to intern in?
- 伟 Wei我希望能去广告公司。Wǒ xīwàng néng qù guǎnggào gōngsī.I hope to go to an advertising agency.
