留待 (liú dài) — to leave (something) for later; to postpone until a later time

Definition

A formal written verb meaning 'leave (a decision or matter) for later'. Unlike 以后再说 (casual 'we'll see later'), it implies deliberately deferring something to be settled at a specific future point.

verb
to leave (something) for laterto postpone until a later time

Examples

  • 留待。
    Zhè ge wèn tí wǒ men liú dài xià cì huì yì zài tǎo lùn.
    We'll leave this issue for discussion at the next meeting.
  • 留待。
    Jù tǐ fāng àn liú dài rì hòu què dìng.
    The specific plan will be left for later determination.
  • 留待。
    Qí tā xì jié liú dài yǐ hòu zài tán.
    Other details will be left for later discussion.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

留liúkeep
待dàiwait

留 and 待 together convey keeping something and waiting for a later time.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
田田tiánfield
Sound part声符shēngfú
卯
卯mǎo留liú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

留 combines 田 (field) with 卯, which gives the sound.

Open 留 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
彳彳chì
Sound part声符shēngfú
寺
寺sì待dài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

待 is built from 彳 on the left and 寺 on the right; 彳 is tied to the meaning, and 寺 gives the sound.

Open 待 →

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