留意

• Pinyin: liú yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 留 = to keep; 意 = 音 + 心 (meaning, intent, attention)

Meaning

To pay attention to; to be mindful of; to take note of something. Slightly more polite or formal than 留神.

Interchangeable with 留心 in many contexts but 留意 is slightly more polished and can appear in formal or written language. Often used in gentle reminders or when drawing someone's attention to a matter without urgency.

Examples

1. 请留意行李寄存处的开放时间，以免错过取行李的时机。 Please note the opening hours of the luggage storage area so you don’t miss your chance to pick up your bags.
2. 校方提醒家长留意孩子的情绪变化，发现异常应及时与老师沟通。 The school reminded parents to watch for changes in their child’s mood and to communicate with the teacher promptly if anything seems unusual.
3. 他在阅读合同时留意到了一处措辞模糊的条款，随即请律师进行核查。 While reading the contract, he noticed a vaguely worded clause and immediately asked a lawyer to review it.

Usage Guide

Context: reminders, observation, daily life

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 请乘客留意随身物品，以防遗失。(Passengers are reminded to pay attention to their personal belongings to prevent loss.)
• 留意天气预报，出门时记得带伞。(Pay attention to the weather forecast and remember to bring an umbrella when going out.)

Don't Say

• 将留意、留心和留神视为完全可互换 — 留意 is the most formal and polished of the three; 留心 implies sustained deliberate observation; 留神 has an urgent cautionary tone (The three are close but not identical: 留意 = polite attention; 留心 = sustained observation; 留神 = urgent alertness)

Origin & History

留 (to keep, retain) + 意 (meaning, intent, attention) — to keep one's attention directed toward something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal