Definition
留级 is a verb-object compound meaning 'to repeat a grade' or 'to be held back a year in school.' It is a separable verb (离合词): the verb 留 and the object 级 can be split when adding aspect markers or measure words between them, e.g., 留了一级 ('repeated one grade') or 留过级 ('have repeated a grade'). Unlike regular verbs, you cannot put a direct object after 留级 — instead, use the pattern 让某人留级 ('make someone repeat a grade').
v.o.
to repeat a gradeto be held back (in school)
Examples
- 留级。Tā yīnwèi chéngjì bù hǎo liú jí le.He repeated the grade because of poor grades.
- 。Wǒ xiǎo shíhou liú guò liǎng jí.I repeated two grades when I was young.
- 留级。Xuéxiào juédìng ràng tā liú jí.The school decided to make him repeat the grade.
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