留学

• Pinyin: liú xué
• Hanzi breakdown: 留 = 卯 (mortise) + 田 (field), meaning to remain in a place; 学 = 子 (child) under a roof with two hands, meaning to study

Meaning

To study abroad; to study overseas. The standard term for pursuing education in a foreign country.

A very common and culturally significant term. 留学生 means international student. Studying abroad is highly valued in Chinese culture, and 留学 is a frequent topic of conversation. Can be used as a verb (去留学 = go study abroad) or as part of compounds (留学经验 = study-abroad experience).

Examples

1. 她明年打算去英国留学。 She plans to go to the UK to study next year.
2. 留学的费用很高，需要好好准备。 The cost of studying abroad is very high — you need to prepare well.
3. 他在美国留学了四年。 He studied in the US for four years.

Usage Guide

Context: education, career, travel

Tone: aspirational

Do Say

• 你想去哪个国家留学？(Which country do you want to study abroad in?)
• 留学回来以后他找到了一份好工作。(After returning from studying abroad, he found a good job.)

Don't Say

• 我在自己国家留学。(Don't use 留学 for studying in your own country — 留学 specifically means studying abroad. For domestic study, just say 上学 or 读书.)

Origin & History

留 means to stay or remain; 学 means to study. Together: to stay and study — specifically staying in a foreign land to study.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal