How to Write 留 (liú) — Meaning “To stay, remain, or keep”

Imagine a farmer standing in a field (田) and saying, 'I will stay here' while holding a hook (the top part) to tie himself to the spot. The hook shape at the top looks like a little handle, and the field below is where you 'remain' – so remember 'hook + field = stay.'

Write the top part (like 卯 but missing one stroke) first: a short stroke, then a vertical hook, then two dots. Then the 田 below: start with the left vertical, top horizontal, then the inside cross and bottom. Make sure the top part is narrow and centered over the wider 田, and don't make the top too big – common mistake is writing the top as wide as the bottom.

留 has the top component that looks like a hook or 'stay' shape, while 画 has a '一' (one) stroke at the top followed by a field (田) and a box – 画 means 'to draw' or 'picture.' 甾 is very rare and has an extra 田 on top (two fields stacked); it relates to ancient vessels or chemical terms. In daily use, only 留 is common for 'stay' or 'study abroad.'

You use 留 when you want to say 'stay' (留下), 'study abroad' (留学), or 'leave a message' (留言). It appears in everyday phrases like '请留步' (please stop – don't come further) or '留校' (stay at school). Culturally, 留学 is very common – many Chinese students go abroad to '留' in another country for study.

Common words containing 留 include: 留学 (liú xué) — To study abroad; 留下 (liú xià) — To leave behind or stay; 留言 (liú yán) — To leave a message.