Definitions

liū (verb) to slip; to slide; to glide
liū (verb) to skate
liū (verb) to sneak away
liù (noun) swift current; rapids
liù (noun) surroundings; neighbourhood

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 溜 is structured with the water radical 氵 alongside the component 留, which primarily functions as a phonetic indicator while loosely suggesting continuity. Its earliest recorded meanings pertained to the swift and smooth movement of water, such as in flowing or dripping. From this aquatic basis, the semantic range expanded to describe any analogous gliding or slipping motion, leading to applications like stealthily departing or skidding. Culinary usage emerged for the technique of quickly passing ingredients through hot liquid or oil, and the term also came to denote activities like ice skating due to the shared quality of seamless movement. Later, additional senses developed, including rapid browsing or glancing, as well as metaphorical uses in phrases related to flattery, all connected to the inherent idea of effortless motion.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他在公园冰。

Tā zài gōngyuán liūbīng.

He is ice skating in the park.

孩子出了房间。

Háizi liū chūle fángjiān.

The child slipped out of the room.

小猫从门口走了。

Xiǎo māo cóng ménkǒu liū zǒule.

The kitten slipped away from the door.

我们下午去公园达。

Wǒmen xiàwǔ qù gōngyuán liūda.

We will go for a stroll in the park in the afternoon.

孩子们喜欢滑梯。

Háizimen xǐhuān liū huátī.

Children like sliding down the slide.

他趁人不注意进了会议室。

Tā chèn rén bù zhùyì liū jìnle huìyìshì.

He sneaked into the meeting room when no one was paying attention.

雨水从屋檐下来。

Yǔshuǐ cóng wūyán liū xiàlái.

Rainwater trickles down from the eaves.

那个小偷从后门走时被抓住了。

Nàgè xiǎotōu cóng hòumén liū zǒu shí bèi zhuā zhùle.

That thief was caught when he was slipping away from the back door.