Definition
留 (liú) means both 'to stay' (as in 留在家里) and 'to keep/leave' (as in 留个言). It is more general than 留下 (liú xià), which emphasizes the result of leaving something behind or staying behind. Unlike 保留 (bǎo liú), which implies setting aside or holding back, 留 simply means to keep or leave without extra nuance.
verb
to stayto remain (in a place)to keepto leave (something behind, e.g. a message)
Easily confused
- 溜liūlook-aliketo slip away, to sneak off
- 六liùsound-alikesix
- 遛liùlook-aliketo walk (an animal)
- 流liúsound-aliketo flow (of liquids, air, etc.)
Examples
- 留。Wǒ liú zài jiā lǐ kàn shū.I stay at home reading.
- 留。Qǐng liú yí gè diànhuà hàomǎ.Please leave a phone number.
- 。Zhè běn shū shì liú gěi nǐ de.This book is kept for you.
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