lǎoliàn: 老练 - Seasoned, Experienced, Worldly

Keywords: laolian, 老练, meaning of 老练, Chinese for experienced, seasoned in Chinese, worldly, veteran, sophisticated, expert, skilled, how to use 老练, HSK 6 word

Summary: 老练 (lǎoliàn) is a highly positive Chinese adjective used to describe someone who is seasoned, experienced, and sophisticated in handling complex situations. More than just “experienced,” 老练 implies a calm, proficient, and worldly wisdom gained through practice, allowing a person to navigate professional or social challenges with impressive ease. It's the quality you admire in a veteran diplomat, a shrewd business negotiator, or a skilled manager who never seems to break a sweat under pressure.

Pinyin (with tone marks): lǎoliàn

Part of Speech: Adjective

HSK Level: HSK 6

Concise Definition: Describes a person as seasoned, experienced, and proficient in handling affairs.

In a Nutshell: Imagine a person who has seen it all before. They don't get flustered, they make smart decisions, and they handle things with a smooth, almost effortless competence. That's the feeling of 老练. It's not just about having worked for many years; it's about having internalized the lessons from that experience to become truly masterful. It conveys deep respect for someone's practical wisdom and capability.

老 (lǎo): The most common meaning is “old,” “senior,” or “venerable.” It brings the dimension of time, suggesting wisdom that has been accumulated over a long period.

练 (liàn): This character means “to practice,” “to train,” or “to refine a skill.” It implies a process of repeated effort and honing one's abilities.

When combined, 老练 (lǎoliàn) literally translates to “old practice.” The two characters create a powerful image of someone whose skills and judgment have been sharpened and perfected through long years of real-world training, resulting in a state of masterful competence.

In Chinese culture, age and experience are traditionally held in high regard. The concept of 老练 is a direct reflection of this value. It's the embodiment of the wisdom that is believed to come not just from books, but from facing and overcoming countless real-world challenges. A person described as 老练 is seen as a reliable and valuable asset, whether in a family, a company, or a government.

Comparison to Western Concepts: A close Western equivalent might be “a seasoned pro” or “a veteran.” However, there's a subtle difference. While “a veteran” might describe a soldier with extensive combat experience, 老练 often carries a broader, more sophisticated connotation that includes social and political adeptness. A 老练 person isn't just technically skilled; they are also worldly, understanding the unspoken rules and navigating complex interpersonal dynamics with finesse. They possess a kind of shrewd wisdom that goes beyond mere job-related experience.

老练 is almost always a compliment and is used to express admiration for someone's professional or social competence. It's appropriate in both formal and informal settings, though it carries a sense of weight and respect.

In Business: It's high praise for a negotiator, manager, or salesperson. “他处理客户投诉的方式非常老练” (His way of handling customer complaints is very seasoned).

In Politics/Diplomacy: It's a key attribute for a successful diplomat or politician who can navigate tense situations calmly.

General Praise: It can be used to describe anyone who demonstrates remarkable skill and composure, even a young person. Describing a young person as 老练 is a particularly high compliment, suggesting they have a maturity and capability beyond their years.

Connotation: While overwhelmingly positive, in very rare contexts, it can hint at someone being a bit too wily or slick. However, the primary and most common usage is one of praise and respect. For a more negative connotation of “sly” or “cunning,” a word like 圆滑 (yuánhuá) is more common.

经验 (jīngyàn) - Experience. The raw material one needs to become 老练.

成熟 (chéngshú) - Mature. Relates to emotional and personal development, while 老练 is about practical competence.

干练 (gànliàn) - Capable and efficient. Similar to 老练, but emphasizes efficiency and getting things done, with less focus on worldly wisdom or social smoothness.

老手 (lǎoshǒu) - Noun: An old hand, a veteran, an expert. A person who is a 老手 is almost always 老练 in their behavior.

老江湖 (lǎojiānghú) - Noun: Lit. “old rivers and lakes.” Refers to a very worldly-wise person, a veteran of society who knows all the tricks. Can have a slightly gritty, street-smart connotation.

圆滑 (yuánhuá) - Slick, smooth, slippery. Describes someone who is socially adept but often in a self-serving or untrustworthy way. A negative counterpart to the positive social skills of being 老练.

世故 (shìgù) - Worldly, sophisticated, but often with a cynical or jaded connotation. Knows how the world works, for better or worse.

新手 (xīnshǒu) - Antonym: A novice, a beginner.

菜鸟 (càiniǎo) - Antonym (slang): A newbie, a greenhorn, a rookie. The polar opposite of someone who is 老练.