留白 (liúbái) refers to the concept of leaving blank space in art, writing, or design to create balance or emphasize certain elements. It is used in both literal and metaphorical senses, often signifying the importance of what is unsaid or unfilled, allowing for interpretation and reflection.
HSK 6, 16 strokes, Hard
liúbái(liu2bai2) T2
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May 27, 2026
留白liúbái(liu2bai2)
留白 (liúbái) refers to the concept of leaving blank space in art, writing, or design to create balance or emphasize certain elements. It is used in both literal and metaphorical senses, often signifying the importance of what is unsaid or unfilled, allowing for interpretation and reflection.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 留白 is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese aesthetics, particularly in ink wash painting, where empty spaces are as significant as filled ones. This reflects the philosophical idea of balance and harmony in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine an artist who deliberately leaves a part of the canvas blank. This 'liúbái' (留白) creates space for the viewer's imagination, symbolizing the beauty of emptiness. The characters '留' (liú) meaning 'to leave' and '白' (bái) meaning 'white' come together to depict this intentional absence.
About 留白
留白Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 留白
Podcast: 留白
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AI Study Notes for 留白
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an artist who deliberately leaves a part of the canvas blank. This 'liúbái' (留白) creates space for the viewer's imagination, symbolizing the beauty of emptiness. The characters '留' (liú) meaning 'to leave' and '白' (bái) meaning 'white' come together to depict this intentional absence.
Usage Notes
留白 is often used in artistic contexts but can also apply to writing and speeches. Learners might confuse it with similar terms for 'leaving out' or 'omitting' in a more general sense. Be mindful of using it in formal discussions about art or literature, as it conveys a specific concept.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK 6, students should focus on understanding the nuanced meanings of 留白 in various contexts, especially in literature and art. Connecting this term to other HSK 6 vocabulary related to art and expression can enhance comprehension.
Cultural Note
The concept of 留白 is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese aesthetics, particularly in ink wash painting, where empty spaces are as significant as filled ones. This reflects the philosophical idea of balance and harmony in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 留白 to simply mean 'omit' without the connotation of intentionality. For example, saying '我留白了这句话' (I left this sentence blank) instead of '我故意留白了这句话' (I intentionally left this sentence blank) misses the nuance.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 留白
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Cultural Notes for 留白
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 留白 is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese aesthetics, particularly in ink wash painting, where empty spaces are as significant as filled ones. This reflects the philosophical idea of balance and harmony in Chinese culture.
Frequently Asked Questions about 留白
In literature, 留白 refers to leaving out certain details or information to allow readers to fill in the gaps with their imagination.
While primarily an artistic term, it can metaphorically apply in conversation to suggest leaving room for interpretation.
You can say, '在这幅画中，艺术家故意留白，让观众思考' (In this painting, the artist deliberately left blank space for the audience to ponder).
