留与溜与流

weijin

September 26, 2008, 05:50 AM posted in General Discussion

Does anyone else get confused between these three characters? If so, I hope this explanation helps you.

留

Pronunciation: liú

Meaning: stop, halt, stay, detain, keep

Example sentences:

这是留给你的。This was kept/saved for you.

每天留出*一点时间放松。Set aside some time everyday to relax.

 

溜

Pronunciation: liū

Meaning: slide, glide, slip away, slippery, smooth

Example sentences:

小偷从后门溜出*

Note the difference between 溜出 (to slip away) and 留出 (to keep, set aside).

了。The thief slipped out the back door.

我好几年没去留冰了。I haven't gone ice skating for a number of years.

 

流

Pronunciation: liú

Meaning: flow, circulate, drift, stream, class

Example sentences:

感冒的时经常流鼻涕。When you have the common cold, your nose will run (your nasal fluids will flow).

看那么多好吃的食品口水都流出*

Note the difference between 流出 (to flow)、溜出 (to keep) and 留出 (to slip away).

来了。My mouth is watering at the sight of so much delicious food (saliva is flowing).

 

 

* Note the difference between 流出 (to flow)、溜出 (to keep) and 留出 (to slip away)

 

P.S. I'm new to this conversations thing, sorry if I posted in the wrong group.