About
溜 is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic radical 氵 (water) indicates a connection to liquid movement, while the phonetic component 留 contributes both its sound and its original meaning of "staying" or "remaining". Initially, the character described water flowing swiftly, sliding down a surface, or gliding smoothly along a path. This sense of smooth, frictionless movement extended from liquids to general actions, leading to definitions such as sliding, skating, or gliding on a slick surface. It also developed a colloquial meaning for sneaking away or slipping off unnoticed, drawing on the metaphor of liquid escaping seamlessly through a crack or slipping out of a container without attracting attention.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他在公园溜冰。
孩子溜出了房间。
小猫从门口溜走了。
我们下午去公园溜达。
孩子们喜欢溜滑梯。
他趁人不注意溜进了会议室。
雨水从屋檐溜下来。
那个小偷从后门溜走时被抓住了。