Definitions

liú (verb) to stay; to remain
liú (verb) to keep; to retain; to preserve
liú (verb) to leave (a message)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "留" originates from a structural composition combining "卯" and "田", where the "田" component denotes a field, imparting a sense of fixed location or groundedness. Its earliest meanings revolved around stopping or remaining in a place, which subsequently expanded to encompass ideas of retention, preservation, and causing something to stay. Over time, these core notions further evolved to include nuances such as detaining, reserving, and leaving something behind, while contemporary applications see it used in constructs like "留学", reflecting an adaptation where the concept of staying is extended to residing abroad for educational purposes.

Example Sentences Hide

在学校学习。

Wǒ liú zài xuéxiào xuéxí.

I stay at school to study.

下你的名字。

Qǐng liú xià nǐ de míngzì.

Please leave your name.

他决定学美国。

Tā juédìng liú xué Měiguó.

He decides to study abroad in the USA.

我们保这个座位。

Wǒmen bǎoliú zhège zuòwèi.

We reserve this seat.

她在北京停了三天。

Tā zài Běijīng tíngliú le sān tiān.

She stayed in Beijing for three days.

恋家乡的风景。

Wǒ liúliàn jiāxiāng de fēngjǐng.

I am attached to the scenery of my hometown.

意明天的天气变化。

Qǐng liúyì míngtiān de tiānqì biànhuà.

Please pay attention to tomorrow's weather changes.

为了保传统,他们下了许多古老的建筑。

Wèile bǎoliú chuántǒng, tāmen liú xià le xǔduō gǔlǎo de jiànzhù.

In order to preserve tradition, they left behind many ancient buildings.