留神

• Pinyin: liú shén
• Hanzi breakdown: 留 = to keep, fix; 神 = 示 + 申 (spirit, mind, attention)

Meaning

To be careful; to pay attention; to watch out. A warning or reminder to stay alert.

Used interchangeably with 留心 and 留意 in many contexts, but 留神 often carries a slightly more urgent tone, as if warning against an immediate risk. Common in spoken Chinese and colloquial warnings.

Examples

1. 师傅叮嘱徒弟操作机器时一定要留神，稍有不慎就可能造成事故。 The master warned the apprentice to be extremely careful when operating the machine—one small mistake could cause an accident.
2. 过马路时要留神来往车辆，不要只顾着看手机。 Watch out for cars when crossing the street; don’t just stare at your phone.
3. 他走在山间小径上，每一步都小心翼翼，时刻留神脚下的碎石。 He walked along the mountain path step by step, staying alert to the loose gravel underfoot.

Usage Guide

Context: safety, daily life, warnings

Tone: cautionary

Do Say

• 走在人多的地方要留神随身财物。(When in crowded places, be careful with your personal belongings.)
• 孩子们留神，台阶很滑，慢慢走。(Children, watch out — the steps are slippery, walk slowly.)

Don't Say

• 在正式书面语中使用留神表示专注 — 留神 is colloquial and emphasises alertness to danger; use 注意 in formal writing when drawing attention to a matter (In formal writing, use 注意 or 留意 rather than 留神, which is more casual and urgency-focused)

Origin & History

留 (to keep, fix) + 神 (spirit, attention, mind) — to keep one's mind and attention focused.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal