磨炼 móliàn to temper oneself; to steel through hardship
How to remember 磨炼: 磨 millstone + 炼 refine = to temper oneself; to steel through hardship.
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How it is used
- To temper / steel oneself through hardship - 艰苦的环境磨炼了他的意志 (jiānkǔ de huánjìng móliàn le tā de yìzhì) harsh conditions tempered his willpower.
- Figurative: hardship forging character or skill, like tempering metal. Object is usually 意志/性格/能力. Positive framing of adversity.