Meaning
The kanji 留 (りゅう / とまる) carries a diverse set of meanings, primarily revolving around concepts like stopping, staying, keeping, and retaining. It can signify a halt in movement, an act of remaining in a particular state or location, or the action of fastening something. It also extends to the idea of detaining someone or something, or even the more modern concept of studying abroad—literally, to 'stay' in a foreign country.
Historically, 留 is believed to be a pictographic representation or ideogram that conveyed the idea of 'stopping' or 'detaining.' The traditional form 畱 included elements suggesting a vessel and a tool for keeping things in place. The modern simplified form 留 consists of 阝 (a variant of 卯, often related to fastening or stopping) on the left, and 田 (field) and 刀 (knife) on the right. While scholars debate the exact etymological connection of these components to the modern meaning, the overall impression is of holding something in place or causing movement to cease. For example, the 'field' component might visually suggest a fixed location where one 'stays.'
With a stroke count of 10, this kanji is typically taught in the 5th grade of Japanese elementary schools. Its common usage and fundamental nature in the language are evident, even though it's categorized as N3 for JLPT purposes.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
On'yomi (音読み) are readings derived from Chinese pronunciations. For 留, the main On'yomi are リュー (ryū) and ル (ru).
リュー (ryū)
リュー is the most common On'yomi for 留. You'll frequently find it in words related to staying, retaining, or studying abroad.
- 留学 (ryūgaku) — studying abroad; foreign student
- 保留 (horyū) — suspension; postponement; reservation; hold (e.g., on a call)
- 滞留 (tairyū) — stay; sojourn; detention
ル (ru)
This reading is less common than リュー, but it appears in a few significant compounds, especially those related to absence or staying away from home.
- 留守 (rusu) — absence from home; being away
- 留守番 (rusuban) — house-sitting; caretaker; person looking after a house
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi (訓読み) are native Japanese readings that convey the meaning of the kanji. For 留, several important Kun'yomi exist, often accompanied by okurigana (suffixing hiragana).
と-める (to-meru)
This transitive verb means 'to stop (something),' 'to fasten,' 'to anchor,' or 'to detain.' It describes an action taken by a subject to cause something else to stop or stay in place.
- 車を止める (車を留める) (kuruma o tomeru) — to stop a car
- 髪留め (kamidome) — hair clip; hairpin
- 気に留める (ki ni tomeru) — to keep in mind; to take notice of ### と-まる (to-maru)
This intransitive verb means 'to stop (oneself),' 'to stay,' or 'to perch.' It describes something coming to a halt or remaining in a place without a direct external agent involved.
- 鳥が木に留まる (tori ga ki ni tomaru) — A bird perches on a tree.
- 目に留まる (me ni tomaru) — to catch one's eye; to be noticed
とど-める (todo-meru)
This transitive verb means 'to keep,' 'to retain,' 'to stop,' or 'to fix (in one's mind).' It suggests holding something in a particular state or preventing it from moving further, often with a nuance of preservation.
- 記録に留める (kiroku ni todomeru) — to record (for posterity); to keep a record
- 心に留める (kokoro ni todomeru) — to bear in mind; to remember
とど-まる (todo-maru)
This intransitive verb means 'to stay,' 'to remain,' 'to be limited to,' or 'to halt.' It describes an entity's action of staying in a place or state, often implying a restriction or a point of cessation.
- 国内に留まる (kokunai ni todomaru) — to stay within the country
- 現状に留まる (genjō ni todomaru) — to stay with the current situation; to be content with the status quo
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 留 appears in a wide range of words and compounds across various contexts. Here are some key examples, categorized by general themes:
Education & Travel
- 留学 (ryūgaku) — studying abroad; foreign student
- 留学生 (ryūgakusei) — exchange student; foreign student
- 短期留学 (tankiryūgaku) — short-term study abroad
Actions & States
- 保留 (horyū) — suspension; postponement; reservation; hold
- 留守 (rusu) — absence from home; being away
- 留守番 (rusuban) — house-sitting; caretaker
- 滞留 (tairyū) — stay; sojourn; detention
- 留任 (ryūnin) — retention in office; continuance in one's post
- 留置場 (ryūchijō) — detention center; police cell
Objects & Concepts
- 髪留め (kamidome) — hair clip; hairpin
- 留め金 (tomegane) — clasp; buckle; stopper
These examples show how 留 can denote both a physical stop or stay, as well as abstract concepts like retention or absence. Its appearance in compounds like 留学 highlights its specific application to education and international experience.
Example Sentences
来年、彼はアメリカに留学する予定です。
Rainen, kare wa Amerika ni ryūgaku suru yotei desu.
Next year, he plans to study abroad in America.
郵便局から電話があり、荷物を預かり留めてくれるそうです。
Yūbinkyoku kara denwa ga ari, nimotsu o azukari tomete kureru sō desu.
The post office called and said they would hold my package for me.
今日は社長が留守なので、私が代わりに対応します。
Kyō wa shachō ga rusu nanode, watashi ga kawari ni taiō shimasu.
The president is out today, so I will handle things in his place.
公園で小鳥が木の枝に留まっているのを見ました。
Kōen de kotori ga ki no eda ni tomatte iru no o mimashita.
I saw a small bird perched on a tree branch in the park.
大切な約束なので、忘れないように心に留めておきます。
Taisetsu na yakusoku nanode, wasurenai yō ni kokoro ni todomete okimasu.
It's an important promise, so I'll keep it in mind so I don't forget.
この書類は重要なので、しばらく保留してください。
Kono shorui wa jūyō nanode, shibaraku horyū shite kudasai.
This document is important, so please keep it on hold for a while.
髪をまとめるために、かわいい髪留めを買いました。
Kami o matomeru tame ni, kawaii kamidome o kaimashita.
I bought a cute hair clip to tie up my hair.
旅行中は荷物の紛失に注意しましょう。
Ryokōchū wa nimotsu no funshitsu ni chūi shimashō.
When traveling, be careful not to lose your belongings.
貴重品は肌身離さず持ち留めるべきです。
Kichōhin wa hadami hanasazu mochi todomeru beki desu.
You should keep valuables close to you.
Memory Tip
To remember 留, you can visualize a 'bird in a field with a closed gate.' The left part (阝, a variant of 卯) can be imagined as a closed gate or fence. The top right element (田) clearly represents a 'field.' Imagine a bird flying into a field, then a gate or trap closes, causing the bird to 'stop' or 'stay' there. Alternatively, think of a farmer (represented by 田) using a tool (刀, hinted by the right side) to 'fasten' or 'keep' something in place. The core idea is the cessation of movement or holding something in a fixed position.