Learn Hardcore Japanese: kaiwa no rensyuu wo tudukeru to, zisin ga tukimasu. - If you continue conversation practice, you gain confidence.

The の here is the genitive (or attributive) particle that links two nouns. It shows that 会話 (“conversation”) modifies 練習 (“practice”). So 会話の練習 literally means “practice of conversation,” i.e. “conversation practice.”

What does 練習を続ける mean, and why is を used with 練習?

練習を続ける means “to continue practice” or “to keep practicing.” The particle を marks 練習 as the direct object of the transitive verb 続ける (“to continue”). In other words, you continue the action of practice.

Why do we use と after 続ける? What kind of conditional is this?

The と here is a conditional particle indicating that if (or when) one action repeatedly happens, another automatic result follows. In this sentence, it means “if/when you keep practicing conversation, (then) you will gain confidence.” This 〜と is often used for general truths or natural results, not for single, one-time events.

Could we use a different conditional form instead of 〜と? For example, 〜ば or 〜たら—what’s the difference?

Yes, you could say:

練習を続ければ、自信が付きます。
練習を続けたら、自信が付きます。
The differences are subtle: • 〜と: stresses automatic or habitual result (natural consequence).
• 〜ば: more hypothetical or general “if.”
• 〜たら: often used for specific situations or time-ordered events.
In everyday advice like this, 〜と feels very natural for “keep doing X and you’ll get Y.”

What does 自信が付きます literally mean? Why is 付く used?

Literally, 付く means “to attach” or “to stick.” In the collocation 自信が付く, it means “confidence sticks to you,” so figuratively “you acquire or gain confidence.” It’s a common expression to say you’ve developed confidence through experience.

Can we replace 付く in 自信が付く with 持つ? What would 自信を持つ mean?

Yes, you can say 自信を持つ (“to have confidence”). Differences: • 自信が付く: focuses on the process of gaining confidence.
• 自信を持つ: focuses on the state of having confidence.
So after you’ve built up confidence, you might say 自信を持っています, but during the process you talk about 自信が付いてくる.

Why is there a comma after と in the sentence?

Japanese often uses punctuation like commas (、) to show a natural pause or to separate clauses for clarity. It doesn’t change the grammar; it just makes the sentence easier to read:
“練習を続けると、　自信が付きます。”

What level of politeness is this sentence?

This sentence is in plain (dictionary) form for both verbs: 続ける and 付きます is polite (“masu-form”), so the overall style is polite but not overly formal. It’s suitable for general advice or speaking with someone you don’t know very well.