HSK 3.0 · LEVEL 3
保留
To reserve, to retain, or to keep as is.
Free Chinese vocabulary flashcard · HSK 3
Why does 保留 look like this?
保 (bǎo): This character combines '人' (person) and '呆' (originally a baby). It depicts a person holding or protecting a child, meaning 'to protect' or 'to keep'. 留 (liú): This character combines '卯' (an ancient tool or a time marker) and '田' (field). It suggests staying on one's land or keeping something in place, meaning 'to stay' or 'to remain'. Together, they mean to keep something exactly as it is.