verb HSK 5
to put up for the night · to have someone stay overnight · to lodge
Meaning
留宿 means to allow or invite someone to stay overnight at one's place, or to stay overnight at someone else's place. It emphasizes the temporary lodging of a guest or visitor, typically for one night or a short period. The word combines 留 (to keep, to retain) and 宿 (to lodge, to stay overnight).
Usage
This word is commonly used when discussing hospitality and accommodations. It can describe either hosting someone overnight (e.g., at your home) or staying at someone else's place. The context usually makes clear whether you're the host or the guest. It's more formal than casual expressions like 过夜 but not overly literary.
Examples
- 01昨晚我在朋友家留宿了一晚。.I stayed overnight at my friend's place last night.
- 02天色已晚，我们留宿了几位远道而来的客人。, .It was already late, so we put up several guests who had traveled from afar for the night.
Characters
Common collocations
- 留宿一晚to stay overnight for one night
- 留宿客人to put up guests for the night
- 在...留宿...to stay overnight at...
Origin
The combination directly reflects its meaning: 留 (to keep/retain) + 宿 (to stay overnight) = to keep someone overnight as a guest.