留 (liú)

留 has two closely related core meanings: to stay or remain in a place, and to leave something behind or keep something. Context determines which sense is intended.

Meanings

[verb] To stay; to remain; to linger.
[verb] To leave behind; to keep; to retain.
[verb] To leave (a message, note, or trace).

Example Sentences

请留下来吃饭吧。 Qǐng liú xialai chīfàn ba. Please stay and have dinner.

她给我留了一张纸条。 Tā gěi wǒ liú le yī zhāng zhǐtiáo. She left me a note.

你可以留着这本书。 Nǐ kěyǐ liúzhe zhè běn shū. You can keep this book.

请给我留言，我稍后回复。 Qǐng gěi wǒ liúyán, wǒ shāohòu huífù. Please leave me a message; I will reply later.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
留下来	to stay; to remain behind
留言	to leave a message; a voicemail or note
留着	to keep; to hold onto
留住	to retain; to keep someone from leaving
留学	to study abroad

Memory Hook

留 contains the idea of something staying put. Whether a person stays behind or an object is left in place, 留 captures the sense of something not moving on. 留言 literally means to leave words behind.