The verb 逗留 (dòuliú) means to stay or linger in a place for a period of time, often with the implication of not having a specific purpose for the stay. It can be used in contexts such as vacationing, visiting friends, or temporarily halting in a location. The nuance suggests a casual or leisurely stay rather than a formal or obligatory one.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
dòuliú(dou4liu2) T4
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May 27, 2026
逗留dòuliú(dou4liu2)
The verb 逗留 (dòuliú) means to stay or linger in a place for a period of time, often with the implication of not having a specific purpose for the stay. It can be used in contexts such as vacationing, visiting friends, or temporarily halting in a location. The nuance suggests a casual or leisurely stay rather than a formal or obligatory one.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 逗留 often reflects the importance of relationships and leisure time, especially during holidays when people visit family or friends and spend time together without a strict schedule.
Memory Tip
Imagine a playful dog (the character 逗) lingering (留) around a park, enjoying the sights and sounds without a care in the world. The dog’s carefree demeanor helps you remember that 逗留 means to stay or linger without urgency.
About 逗留
逗留Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 逗留
Podcast: 逗留
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AI Study Notes for 逗留
Quick Contrast
停留 (tíngliú) vs 逗留 (dòuliú): Use 逗留 when emphasizing a casual or leisurely stay with no specific purpose, while 停留 suggests a stop or pause that may be more neutral or obligatory.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a playful dog (the character 逗) lingering (留) around a park, enjoying the sights and sounds without a care in the world. The dog’s carefree demeanor helps you remember that 逗留 means to stay or linger without urgency.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 逗留 with 留 (liú), which also means to stay but is more general and can imply a longer stay or residency. 逗留 is typically used in informal contexts, so it’s best to avoid it in very formal situations. Common collocations include 逗留时间 (dòuliú shíjiān, duration of stay) and 逗留在 (dòuliú zài, linger at).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, focus on using 逗留 in various contexts to express nuanced meanings of staying or lingering. Connect this word with other HSK 7 vocabulary that involve time duration or visits, such as 停留 (tíngliú, to stop and stay).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 逗留 often reflects the importance of relationships and leisure time, especially during holidays when people visit family or friends and spend time together without a strict schedule.
Common Mistakes
Learners might incorrectly use 逗留 in formal contexts or confuse it with 留. For example, saying '我在这里逗留三个月' (I stayed here for three months) is incorrect; instead, use '我在这里住了三个月' (I lived here for three months).
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 逗留
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Cultural Notes for 逗留
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 逗留 often reflects the importance of relationships and leisure time, especially during holidays when people visit family or friends and spend time together without a strict schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions about 逗留
逗留 implies a more casual or leisurely stay, while 停留 suggests a temporary stop that might be more formal or for a specific reason.
No, 逗留 is typically used for short or casual stays, so for longer stays, you would use 留.
It is generally more informal, so in formal writing, it’s better to use words like 停留 or 逗留时间 for specific durations.
