留守 (liúshǒu) refers to individuals who remain in a certain place, often used to describe children or elderly family members left behind when other family members migrate for work or other opportunities. It highlights the emotional and social implications of separation and the challenges faced by those who stay behind.
HSK 5, 16 strokes, Hard
liúshǒu(liu2shou3) T2
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May 27, 2026
留守liúshǒu(liu2shou3)
留守 (liúshǒu) refers to individuals who remain in a certain place, often used to describe children or elderly family members left behind when other family members migrate for work or other opportunities. It highlights the emotional and social implications of separation and the challenges faced by those who stay behind.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 留守 is particularly relevant in modern China due to large-scale rural-to-urban migration, where many parents leave their children in the care of relatives in their hometowns, leading to significant social issues.
Memory Tip
Imagine a child waving goodbye to their parents as they leave for work in a big city, while saying '留守' (liúshǒu) meaning 'to stay behind'. The character '留' (liú) looks like a person holding onto something, symbolizing staying, while '守' (shǒu) suggests guarding or protecting what is left.
About 留守
留守Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 留守
Podcast: 留守
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AI Study Notes for 留守
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a child waving goodbye to their parents as they leave for work in a big city, while saying '留守' (liúshǒu) meaning 'to stay behind'. The character '留' (liú) looks like a person holding onto something, symbolizing staying, while '守' (shǒu) suggests guarding or protecting what is left.
Usage Notes
留守 is often used in contexts discussing family dynamics and migration. Be cautious of its emotional weight; it is typically a serious topic. Common collocations include 留守儿童 (liúshǒu ér tóng - left-behind children) and 留守家庭 (liúshǒu jiā tíng - left-behind families).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, learners should focus on understanding the emotional context of 留守 and its usage in social discussions. Connect this word to related terms like 家庭 (jiā tíng - family) and 迁移 (qiān yí - migration) to build a broader vocabulary around family and social issues.
Cultural Note
The concept of 留守 is particularly relevant in modern China due to large-scale rural-to-urban migration, where many parents leave their children in the care of relatives in their hometowns, leading to significant social issues.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 留守 with 留下 (liúxià), which means 'to leave behind' but does not imply staying. For instance, saying '我留下了' (Wǒ liúxià le) instead of '我留守' (Wǒ liúshǒu) can mislead the meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 留守
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Cultural Notes for 留守
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 留守 is particularly relevant in modern China due to large-scale rural-to-urban migration, where many parents leave their children in the care of relatives in their hometowns, leading to significant social issues.
Frequently Asked Questions about 留守
In a social context, 留守 refers to those who remain in rural areas, typically children or the elderly, while family members seek work in cities.
留守 is often used in news reports to discuss the challenges faced by left-behind children and families in China.
Yes, while it primarily refers to children, it can also apply to elderly parents or others who stay behind.
