Chinese word

留恋

Pronunciation

Pinyinliú liàn

Meaning

  • verbbe reluctant to leave

Example

毕业时，大家都对校园很留恋。bì yè shí dà jiā dōu duì xiào yuán hěn liú liàn

At graduation, everyone was reluctant to leave the campus.

Illustration for 留恋 (be reluctant to leave)

More examples

那段旅行留下了许多令人留恋的回忆。nà duàn lǚ xíng liú xià le xǔ duō lìng rén liú liàn de huí yì

That trip left many memories that are hard to let go of.

Core concept

A feeling that keeps the heart attached to something left behind, making departure feel unfinished.

Common phrases

  • 对母校留恋duì mǔ xiào liú liàn

    be reluctant to leave one's alma mater

  • 留恋往昔liú liàn wǎng xī

    be nostalgic for the past

  • 令人留恋的回忆lìng rén liú liàn de huí yì

    memories that are hard to let go of

Similar words

舍不得shě bu de: Feel unwilling to part with or give up someone or something because of strong attachment.
思念sī niàn: Deeply miss a distant person or long-gone time and yearn for them.
怀念huái niàn: Remember a person, place, or event from the past with warm, nostalgic feelings.
依依不舍yī yī bù shě: Feel deeply reluctant to part at a farewell and linger instead of leaving.

Definition in Chinese

对离开或失去的人、地方或事物感到不舍，心里想留住过去的时刻或联系。duì lí kāi huò shī qù de rén dì fāng huò shì wù gǎn dào bù shě xīn lǐ xiǎng liú zhù guò qù de shí kè huò lián xì

Word origin

留 (liú, "stay") + 恋 (liàn, "feel attached") combines the idea of staying with emotional attachment, giving the word its sense of not wanting to part.

Usage tips

  • The word is not limited to romantic relationships, so it naturally describes attachment to a school, hometown, former workplace, or memorable stage of life.

Other meanings

  • have trouble letting go ofverb
  • missadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 留恋不已liú liàn bù yǐbe unable to let goidiom

Word lists with this word