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March 24, 2026
离开(離開)líkāi(li2kai1)
离开 (li2 kai1) means 'to leave' or 'to depart' from a place or situation. It is commonly used in both physical contexts, such as leaving a location, and metaphorical ones, like leaving a job or relationship. The term conveys a sense of separation or moving away from something.
Strokes14Frequency#202DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of leaving can have significant emotional weight, often tied to family or community ties. For example, leaving home for education or work is a common theme in many families, reflecting values of sacrifice and ambition.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (离) with an umbrella (开) leaving a rainy place. The character 离 combines the radical for 'to separate' and the component for 'to open', symbolizing the act of opening the door to leave. Think of 'Li' as 'Leave' to help remember the pronunciation.
Meanings of 离开
líkāi(li2kai1)
1to depart
2to leave
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About 离开
离开Simplified
離開Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#202Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 离开
Podcast: 离开
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AI Study Notes for 离开
Quick Contrast
走 (zǒu, to go) - use 离开 when emphasizing separation from a place or situation, while 走 focuses on the act of going without the same connotation of departure.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 离开 with other verbs like 去 (qù, to go) or 走 (zǒu, to walk). While 离开 emphasizes the act of leaving, 去 and 走 can imply movement towards a destination. It's informal, so in more formal contexts, one might use 离职 (lí zhí) for leaving a job.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 离开 connects with other travel-related vocabulary like 走 (to walk) and 到 (to arrive). Focus on its usage in sentences and practice with phrases like 离开家 (to leave home) to enhance comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 离开 in contexts requiring more specific verbs. For example, saying '离开学校' (leave school) is correct, but saying '离开我家' (leave my house) might be confusing without context. Instead, clarify that 离开 is best for significant departures.
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Pronunciation of 离开
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离开 (li2 kai1) means 'to leave' or 'to depart' from a place or situation. It is commonly used in both physical contexts, such as leaving a location, and metaphorical ones, like leaving a job or relationship. The term conveys a sense of separation or moving away from something.
When to use 离开
Learners often confuse 离开 with other verbs like 去 (qù, to go) or 走 (zǒu, to walk). While 离开 emphasizes the act of leaving, 去 and 走 can imply movement towards a destination. It's informal, so in more formal contexts, one might use 离职 (lí zhí) for leaving a job.
离开 or something close to it
走 (zǒu, to go) - use 离开 when emphasizing separation from a place or situation, while 走 focuses on the act of going without the same connotation of departure.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 离开 in contexts requiring more specific verbs. For example, saying '离开学校' (leave school) is correct, but saying '离开我家' (leave my house) might be confusing without context. Instead, clarify that 离开 is best for significant departures.
Write 离开
离
开
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Grammar Patterns of 离开
离开 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
