The word 教练 is formed by combining two characters: 教 (jiāo), meaning "to teach" or "to instruct", and 练 (liàn), meaning "to practice" or "to train". It conceptually fuses the idea of imparting knowledge or skill (教) with the process of repetitive exercise and refinement (练), creating a single term that embodies the dual, inseparable role of one who guides and drills a student or athlete toward mastery.