遛 liú to walk
to walk; to stroll
How to remember 遛: 辶 walking + 留 remain = to walk. Before the dog has to remain with the neighbours for the weekend, Dad takes him out walking, free to walk and sniff every tree.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
遛 = 辶 walking + 留 remain
- 辶 walking meaning
- 留 remain sound
- 𠂎 left half
- 刀 knife
- 田 field
Before the dog has to remain with the neighbours for the weekend, Dad takes him out walking, free to walk and sniff every tree.
How it came to be
Walking gives the meaning and the sign for staying the sound.
How it is used
- Casual, spoken word for a leisurely walk/stroll, especially 遛狗 (liù gǒu) to walk the dog and 遛弯儿 (liùwānr) to go for a stroll.
- Note the meaning is transitive-ish: you 遛 an animal (or yourself); it's about the ambling, not going somewhere.