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留念 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
留念liúniànto keep as a souvenirHSK 7, v, 18 strokes, rank #25959, Very Hard
留念liúniànto recall fondlyHSK 7, v, 18 strokes, rank #25959, Very Hard
liúniàn(liu2nian4)liu nian T2
  1. 1to keep as a souvenir
  2. 2to recall fondly
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March 24, 2026

留念liúniàn(liu2nian4)

留念 (liú niàn) refers to the act of keeping something as a souvenir or memento, typically to evoke fond memories of a place or experience. It is commonly used in contexts such as travel, gifts, or special occasions where one wants to remember a significant moment.

Strokes18Frequency#25959DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, keeping souvenirs is significant, especially during travels or important life events. Items like postcards, tickets, or small trinkets serve not only as reminders but also as a way to share experiences with others.

Memory tip

Imagine you are at a beautiful beach, and you pick up a shell to remember the day. The character 留 (liú) looks like a person holding onto something, while 念 (niàn) resembles a heart, symbolizing fond memories. Together, they create an image of keeping a cherished memory close to your heart.

Meanings of 留念

liúniàn(liu2nian4)
1to keep as a souvenir
2to recall fondly
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 留念

留念Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#25959Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 留念

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AI study notes for 留念

Quick Contrast

纪念 (jìniàn) - use 留念 (liúniàn) when emphasizing the personal aspect of keeping a memento, while 纪念 (jìniàn) often refers to commemorating events or people more formally.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 留念, as mispronunciation can change the meaning of the individual characters. This term is usually used in a neutral to slightly formal context, so avoid using it in overly casual conversations. Common collocations include '留念品' (souvenir) and '留念照' (commemorative photo).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 留念 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to memories and experiences. Focus on using it in sentences that describe past events or items kept for remembrance, which can help solidify its usage in conversations about personal history.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 留念 with simply 'remembering' (记得 jìdé). For example, saying '我留念这个人' (Wǒ liú niàn zhège rén) is incorrect; it should be '我记得这个人' (Wǒ jìdé zhège rén) if referring to remembering a person without a physical object.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 留念

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Component characters

留liúto stay, to remain; to preserve, to keep; to leave a message; 
HSK 410 strokes田
View full entry
念niànto think of, to recall; to study
HSK 58 strokes心
View full entry

How to say to keep as a souvenir in Chinese

“to keep as a souvenir” in Chinese is留念liúniàn

留念 (liú niàn) refers to the act of keeping something as a souvenir or memento, typically to evoke fond memories of a place or experience. It is commonly used in contexts such as travel, gifts, or special occasions where one wants to remember a significant moment.

When to use 留念

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 留念, as mispronunciation can change the meaning of the individual characters. This term is usually used in a neutral to slightly formal context, so avoid using it in overly casual conversations. Common collocations include '留念品' (souvenir) and '留念照' (commemorative photo).

留念 or something close to it

纪念 (jìniàn) - use 留念 (liúniàn) when emphasizing the personal aspect of keeping a memento, while 纪念 (jìniàn) often refers to commemorating events or people more formally.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 留念 with simply 'remembering' (记得 jìdé). For example, saying '我留念这个人' (Wǒ liú niàn zhège rén) is incorrect; it should be '我记得这个人' (Wǒ jìdé zhège rén) if referring to remembering a person without a physical object.

Write 留念

留
念

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Grammar patterns of 留念

留念 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.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

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开会前,6位外交部长合影____。

Before going into their meeting the six foreign ministers posed for photographs.

Example sentences for 留念 (1)

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1
开会前,6位外交部长合影留念。

kāihuì qián,6 wèi wàijiāo bùzhǎng héyǐng liúniàn。

Before going into their meeting the six foreign ministers posed for photographs.

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Frequently asked questions about 留念

Yes, 留念 can refer to digital souvenirs, such as photos taken during a trip, as they also evoke memories.

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