留 stroke order 留 chinese writing meaning 留 chinese character tattoos

The Chinese Character: 留 (liú)

1. Basic Meaning and Structure

  • Pronunciation: liú (sounds like "leo" with a rising tone).

  • Character Meaning: To stay; to remain; to retain; to keep; to leave behind.

  • Character Origin: It is an ideogram. Its traditional form is a combination of:

    • 卯 (mǎo): An ancient unit of time or a pictograph of two people facing each other.

    • 田 (tián): "Field."

  • Literal Interpretation: The character paints a picture of "stopping in a field" or "a lingering presence in a place." It powerfully evokes the act of pausing, staying put, or something being left in a specific location.

2. Deeper Meanings and Cultural Significance

"留" operates on multiple levels, from the physical to the deeply emotional and philosophical.

  • Physical Presence: To stay in a place. 留下 (liúxià) - to stay behind.

  • Retention and Preservation: To keep something, to prevent it from being lost. 保留 (bǎoliú) - to preserve, to retain.

  • A Thoughtful Pause: 停留 (tíngliú) - to stop over, to linger. It implies a deliberate, not rushed, act of remaining.

  • Legacy and Memory: To leave something behind. 留言 (liúyán) - to leave a message. 留念 (liúniàn) - to keep as a souvenir; a literal translation is "to retain a thought/memory."

  • An Invitation to Stay: In social contexts, 留步 (liúbù) is a polite phrase meaning "you don't need to see me out," literally "keep your steps."


留的笔顺【Writing order】ノフ丶フノ丨フ一丨一

"留" as a Tattoo: Meanings and Interpretations

A "留" tattoo is for a reflective, sentimental, and present individual. It is a permanent mark about the impermanence of moments and the human desire to preserve them.

1. Core Symbolic Meanings

  • The Art of Being Present: The tattoo can be a powerful reminder to "stay" in the current moment—to practice mindfulness and appreciate the "now" before it becomes a memory. It's an antidote to a rushing, distracted life.

  • Cherishing Memories and People: This is the most profound and common meaning. The tattoo symbolizes the act of "holding on" to precious memories, a loved one who has passed, a relationship, or a formative period in one's life. It is a declaration that says, "This, I will keep."

  • A Personal Legacy: It can represent the mark one wishes to "leave behind" in the world—their impact, their work, or their story.

  • A Promise or a Vow: The character can symbolize a commitment to "stay" – to remain true to oneself, to a person, or to a promise, even in challenging times.

  • Acceptance and Letting Go (Paradoxically): In a more philosophical sense, to acknowledge that a moment is gone is to "retain" it as a memory. The tattoo can represent this beautiful, bittersweet acceptance of life's flow.

2. Personal Interpretations

  • A Memorial Tattoo: It can be a subtle, elegant, and deeply personal way to honor someone who has "stayed behind" in your heart.

  • A Marker of a Special Place or Time: It could represent a city, a chapter of life, or an experience that profoundly shaped you and that you wish to "retain" forever.

  • A Mantra for Mental Health: For someone who struggles with anxiety about the future or past, it can be a grounding reminder to "remain" anchored in the present.

3. Aesthetic Appeal

The character "留" is visually elegant and balanced.

  • Flowing and Graceful: Its structure is less angular and more fluid than many characters, with curves that suggest continuity and softness.

  • Complex yet Harmonious: It has enough detail to be visually interesting without being overly busy.

  • Calligraphic Potential: It is a stunning character in cursive (草书) or semi-cursive (行书) scripts, where the flowing strokes can beautifully embody the meaning of a lingering, unbroken connection or memory.

Important Considerations Before Getting the Tattoo

  1. Emotionally Weighted: This character carries a gentle, sometimes melancholic, beauty. It is contemplative and sentimental. Ensure this emotional resonance aligns with your intention.

  2. Profoundly Positive: While often nostalgic, its connotations are overwhelmingly positive, focusing on love, appreciation, and the value of preservation.

  3. Clarity of Intent: What are you choosing to "留"? A person, a memory, a feeling, or a state of mind? Your personal story gives this character its unique power.

Summary of Tattoo Meanings:

  • Primary Meaning: To stay; to remain; to keep; to leave behind.

  • Symbolic Meanings: Mindfulness, Cherished Memory, Legacy, Faithfulness, and the Preservation of What is Precious.

  • Aesthetic Meaning: An elegant, flowing, and harmonious character that visually suggests continuity.

Conclusion:

A "留" tattoo is for the keeper of moments. It is for the person who understands the fleeting nature of time and consciously chooses to preserve its most beautiful fragments. It is a quiet, intelligent, and deeply moving symbol of a heart that knows how to stay, how to remember, and how to hold what truly matters. It is a timeless and poetic choice.

留字意思【meaning】

留字基本字义解释【Basic meaning】

留liú（ㄌ一ㄡˊ）

⒈  停止在某一个地方：停留。留学。留任。留级。留步。留守。留驻。

⒉  注意力放在上面：留心。留神。留意。

⒊  不忍舍弃，不忍离去：留连。留恋。

⒋  不使离开：留客。留宿。挽留。拘留。

⒌  接受：收留。

⒍  保存：保留。留存。留别。留念。留后路。

留的异体字【Variant】

  • 榴

  • 畄

  • 畱

留字汉英互译【Chinese-English Translation】

ask sb. to stay、grow、leave、remain、stay

相关字词【Related words】

去离

造字法【Character Creation】

形声

留的英文翻译【English Translation】

stop, halt; stay, detain, keep

留字组词【Word Grouping】

留戍;留幕;留学;相留;厮留;留颜;延留;留心;费留;留职;留笺;余留;留后手;存留;留洋;

留字取名的寓意【The meaning of the name】

留字取名寓指接受能力强、聪明、才多识广之意。中性字，用字频率为百分名字中使用了579次，点击查看留字起名

留字取名的含义是什么【What does the name mean?】：

留字取名义指活泼,魅力,成功之义;

留配什么字最好【What word is best?】

起名留配什么字最好【What word is best?】?留配什么字最好【What word is best?】男孩可配幽、化、养、韶、鲁等字起名大气好听的。女孩留字配什么字好听可配晴、娇、兰、美、莉等字起名最好听。

与留字搭配的最佳男孩名字【Best boy names that go with this word】

  • zi liu子留

  • min liu敏留

  • liu hua留华

  • yong liu咏留

  • liu xi留熙

与留字搭配的最佳女孩名字【Best girl names that go with this word】

留字起名没有名字，该字不适合或很少用来起女孩名

chinese characters

Chinese words