Learn a Chinese Character - 溜

1. Character Basics

Radical: 氵 (shuǐ, water radical)

Stroke Count: 13

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: liū (First tone) or liù (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

To slide; to glide; to slip; to skid; to sneak away; to move smoothly and quickly; to stroll; to saunter; to flow; to pour smoothly; to pass (time)

4. Common Words

• 溜走 (liūzǒu) - To slip away; to sneak off
• 溜冰 (liūbīng) - To skate; ice skating
• 溜达 (liūda) - To stroll; to saunter; to take a walk
• 溜须拍马 (liūxū pāimǎ) - To flatter; to curry favor with
• 滑溜 (huáliū) - Smooth; slippery; sleek
• 顺溜 (shùnliū) - Smooth; without difficulty; fluent
• 溜门撬锁 (liūmén qiàosuǒ) - To break into a house by picking locks
• 一溜烟 (yīliùyān) - In a flash; in the twinkling of an eye

5. Grammar & Usage

As a verb: Mainly means "to slide", "to glide", "to slip", or "to sneak away". It is often used to describe smooth, quick movements. When pronounced as liù (Fourth tone), it is used in specific terms like 一溜烟 (yīliùyān) meaning "in a flash".

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, ice skating (溜冰) has a long history, especially in northern regions where winter is cold. It was not only a means of transportation but also a form of entertainment. The character 溜 also appears in idioms like 溜须拍马 (flattery) and 一溜烟 (very quickly), reflecting its extended usage in daily language and cultural expressions.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character 溜 has 13 strokes. It consists of 氵 (shuǐ, water) and 畱 (liú, to stay). You can remember it by visualizing water (氵) flowing smoothly or staying (畱) on a surface, symbolizing sliding or gliding movements.