多练习。

You can use it as a standalone sentence or add a subject. If a friend struggles with chopsticks, just smile and say 多练习. If you want to be more specific, you can say 你要多练习中文 (You need to practice Chinese more). It functions like a gentle nudge rather than a strict command. Think of it as the 'keep going' of the Mandarin world.

Use it whenever someone is learning something new. It works for sports, musical instruments, or even cooking. At a restaurant, if a friend is clumsy with their soup spoon, it's a perfect lighthearted comment. In a meeting, if a colleague is nervous about presenting, it shows you believe they can improve. It is great for texting too, especially with a supportive emoji.

Avoid using this when someone is genuinely upset about a major failure. If someone just crashed their car, saying 多练习 might get you a very cold stare. It can also sound a bit patronizing to a superior. Don't say it to your boss about their management skills. Keep it for peers, students, or friends who are in a 'learning' mindset. Also, don't use it for things that don't require skill, like eating a burger.

Chinese culture places a massive emphasis on 'Kung Fu' (Gongfu). This doesn't just mean martial arts; it means 'skill through time and effort.' The idea is that talent is secondary to hard work. Phrases like 多练习 reflect this 'grind' mentality. It is seen as a very practical and honest form of support. It shows you value their journey, not just the end result.

You will often hear 多加练习 (duō jiā liàn xí), which is slightly more formal. Another common one is 勤加练习 (qín jiā liàn xí), meaning 'practice diligently.' If you want to sound more like a proverb, you could use 熟能生巧 (shú néng shēng qiǎo). That one literally means 'skill comes from practice.' But for everyday coffee chats, stick to the simple 多练习.