The word 拘留 (jūliú), meaning "to detain" or "temporary custody", is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core action to the concept. The first character, 拘 (jū), carries the inherent idea of seizing, arresting, or restraining. The second character, 留 (liú), means to retain, keep, or cause to stay. Thus, the compound logically sequences these actions: first, the act of seizing or restraining (拘), followed by the act of forcing someone to remain in a specific place (留), together creating the complete sense of "detain in custody".