留
liú
to keep; to retain
Every meaning
liú
- to keep; to retain
- to stay; to remain
- to leave (behind); to leave (a message)
- to study abroad (as in 留学)
- to grow (hair, beard)
In a sentence
你今晚留在这儿吃饭吧。
Stay here for dinner tonight.
这块蛋糕给妹妹留着。
Save this piece of cake for your little sister.
他给我留了一张纸条。
He left me a note.
Written by Claude and checked by our reader.
In the Library
现在大家都吃得饱了，这句话还留着，只是年轻人说得不多了。
为什么中国人见面总问“吃了吗”？ · Why do Chinese people ask “Have you eaten?” · HSK 3
如果还是找不到，就让一个人留在原地：“你留在咖啡店，别动，我过来找你。
后羿只好留在人间，和嫦娥一起过日子。
Words with 留
Meanings are from Mandarin The Wild’s own dictionary. Levels follow the official HSK word list (the exam’s 2025 syllabus, levels 7–9 shown together).