verb HSK 4
Traditional 留學
liú xué
to study abroad · to attend school in a foreign country

Meaning

留学 means to study abroad or pursue education in a foreign country. The word combines 留 (to stay, remain) and 学 (to study), literally meaning 'to stay and study' in another country. It's commonly used when discussing international education experiences.

Usage

This is a neutral, standard term used by students, parents, and educators when discussing overseas education. It can function as a verb (我想留学) or as a noun modifier (留学生 = international student). The most common collocations involve destination countries or the act of going abroad to study.

Examples

  1. 01
    她打算明年去英国留学
    suàn míng nián Yīng guó liú xué.
    She plans to study in the UK next year.
  2. 02
    很多中国学生选择到美国留学
    Hěn duō Zhōng guó xué shēng xuǎn dào Měi guó liú xué.
    Many Chinese students choose to study in America.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 留学
    liú xué shēng
    international student, student studying abroad
  • 出国留学
    chū guó liú xué
    to go abroad to study
  • 去美国留学
    Měi guó liú xué
    to study in America
  • 留学经历
    liú xué jīng
    study abroad experience

Antonyms

Origin

The term combines 留 (remain/stay) with 学 (study), reflecting the concept of remaining in a foreign place for educational purposes. This construction became widely used in modern Chinese as international education became more accessible.

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