Meaning of 留言
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to leave a message; to leave one's comments
- message
How to use 留言
留言 works as a verb (to leave a message or comment) and as a noun (the message itself). It is common for voicemail, notes, and comments under online posts. Example: 他不在，我给他留言了。(Tā bú zài, wǒ gěi tā liúyán le.) He wasn't in, so I left him a message.
留 (liú) means to stay or leave behind, and 言 (yán) means words. When you 留言, you leave your words behind for someone who is not there.
Common mistake: Learners often say 留言给他 by copying English word order, but the natural pattern is 给他留言 (gěi tā liúyán). Also, do not confuse 言 (yán) with 盐 (yán, salt) when typing pinyin.
留言 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
留 liú · to leave · 10 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
言 yán · words · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 留言.
| 留下 | liúxia | to leave behind; to stay behind |
| 语言 | yǔyán | language |
| 留学生 | liúxuéshēng | student studying abroad; returned student; foreign student; international student |
| 保留 | bǎoliú | to keep; to retain |
| 发言 | fāyán | to make a speech; statement |
| 留学 | liúxué | to study abroad |
| 停留 | tíngliú | to stay for a time; to stop; to remain; to remain (at a stage, level etc) |
| 言语 | yányǔ | words; speech |
| 传言 | chuányán | rumor; hearsay |
| 自言自语 | zìyán-zìyǔ | (idiom) to talk to oneself; to think aloud; to soliloquize |
| 发言人 | fāyánrén | spokesperson |
| 谎言 | huǎngyán | lie |
Questions about 留言
What does 留言 mean?
留言 (liúyán) means "to leave a message; to leave one's comments; message" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 留言?
留言 is made of 2 characters: 留 (10 strokes), 言 (7 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 留言 an HSK word?
Yes. 留言 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How do I say 'leave a comment' on social media in Chinese?
You can say 留言 or 评论 (pínglùn). On many Chinese sites the comment area is called 留言区 (liúyánqū) or 评论区 (pínglùnqū).
Can I put an object directly after 留言?
Usually not, because 言 already acts as the object. To say who receives the message, use 给 before it, as in 给老师留言 (gěi lǎoshī liúyán), or split it as 留个言 (liú ge yán) in casual speech.