What does 保留 mean in Chinese?

保留 (bǎo liú) means "to retain; to continue to have; to preserve; to maintain; to reserve; reservations; to hold back (approval or acceptance)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 保留?

保留 is pronounced "bǎo liú" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.

What HSK level is 保留?

保留 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam.

What characters make up 保留?

保留 is made up of the characters 保, 留. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 保留?

You can practice writing 保留 using our stroke order tool.

保留 (bǎo liú), to retain

保留

bǎo liú

to retain; to continue to have; to preserve; to maintain

HSK 5verb

Characters in This Word

保留

Definitions

(verb) to retain
to continue to have
to preserve
to maintain
to reserve
reservations
to hold back (approval or acceptance)

Example Sentences

我保留了当时的照片。

Wǒ bǎoliú le dāngshí de zhàopiàn

I retained the photos from that time

Related Words

留(liú)· to leave (a message etc)

存有(cún yǒu)· to hold in storage

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HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 3 list

保留: HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 保留 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.