In 15 Seconds
- Polite way to tell a host not to walk you out.
- Use it when leaving someone's home or office.
- Shows respect for the host's time and effort.
Meaning
This is a polite way to tell your host they don't need to walk you all the way to the door or the street when you are leaving. It literally translates to 'please stay your steps' and is the ultimate polite exit phrase.
Key Examples
3 of 6Leaving a business meeting
今天谈得很愉快，请留步。
It was a pleasure talking today, please don't bother seeing me out.
Leaving a friend's dinner party
菜太好吃了！外面冷，请留步。
The food was great! It's cold outside, please stay inside.
Texting a host after a visit
我已经上车了，刚才请留步呀！
I'm in the car already, you really shouldn't have walked out!
Cultural Background
In business culture, the host usually walks the guest to the elevator. Saying '{请留步|qǐng liúbù}' at the office door is a way to show you are a 'pro' who respects their time. The phrase is used similarly but often with a softer tone. You might hear '{留步|liúbù}，{留步|liúbù}' repeated twice with a slight bow. While the characters are the same, in Cantonese, people often say 'M sai sung la' (No need to escort). '{请留步|qǐng liúbù}' is reserved for very formal Mandarin-speaking contexts. This phrase was part of the 'Three Refusals' etiquette. A guest would say it at the door, again at the gate, and sometimes a third time if the host persisted.
The 'Hand Gesture'
When saying '{请留步|qǐng liúbù}', it is very natural to slightly raise one hand (palm facing the host) as a gentle 'stop' gesture. It adds to the politeness.
Don't be too aggressive
Say it with a smile. If you say it too sharply, it might sound like you are telling the person to 'Stay away from me!'
In 15 Seconds
- Polite way to tell a host not to walk you out.
- Use it when leaving someone's home or office.
- Shows respect for the host's time and effort.
What It Means
请留步 is a classic Chinese courtesy. It is used when you are the guest leaving a home or office. Your host will naturally try to walk you out. By saying this, you are kindly telling them to stop. You are saving them the trouble of walking further. It shows you value their time and comfort.
How To Use It
Say it as you begin to walk away. Usually, you say it when you reach the first 'exit' point. This could be the office door or the living room edge. You can pair it with a small wave or a slight bow. It is often repeated once or twice if the host insists. It sounds smooth and very sophisticated.
When To Use It
Use it in almost any setting where someone is hosting you. It works at a business meeting after the final handshake. It is perfect when leaving a friend's apartment. Use it at a restaurant if someone is walking you to your car. It makes you sound like you really understand Chinese etiquette. Even if your Chinese is basic, this phrase earns huge respect.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you are the host. That would be like telling your guest to stop moving! Also, do not use it in very casual, 'bro-like' settings. With your best friend, a simple 'Bye' or 走了 is better. Using it with a younger sibling might feel a bit too dramatic. Avoid it if you actually need help finding the exit.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture places high value on the 'host-guest' dynamic. A good host must walk a guest as far as possible. In the past, this meant walking to the city gates! 请留步 was the polite way for the guest to 'release' the host. It balances the host's duty to be hospitable with the guest's humility. It is a beautiful dance of mutual respect.
Common Variations
If you want to be even more polite, say 请回吧. This literally means 'please return.' For a more casual version, you can say 不用送了. This simply means 'no need to see me out.' In very formal letters, you might see 留步 used alone. But for speaking, 请留步 is the 'Goldilocks' version—just right.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral-to-formal. It's safe for business and social visits. Avoid using it with very close friends or younger family members where it might sound stiff.
The 'Hand Gesture'
When saying '{请留步|qǐng liúbù}', it is very natural to slightly raise one hand (palm facing the host) as a gentle 'stop' gesture. It adds to the politeness.
Don't be too aggressive
Say it with a smile. If you say it too sharply, it might sound like you are telling the person to 'Stay away from me!'
The Double Refusal
Even if you say '{请留步|qǐng liúbù}', the host might still walk you out. This is normal! You can say it again once you reach the next 'threshold' (like the elevator).
Examples
6今天谈得很愉快，请留步。
It was a pleasure talking today, please don't bother seeing me out.
Professional and shows you are a seasoned pro.
菜太好吃了！外面冷，请留步。
The food was great! It's cold outside, please stay inside.
Adding a reason like 'it is cold' makes it warmer.
我已经上车了，刚才请留步呀！
I'm in the car already, you really shouldn't have walked out!
Used as a follow-up to show appreciation.
留步！不必再送了。
Stay your steps! No need to follow further.
Slightly more dramatic and old-fashioned.
谢谢您的教导，请留步。
Thank you for your guidance, please don't see me out.
Shows deep respect to an elder or teacher.
你身体还没好，快请留步。
You haven't recovered yet, please stay where you are.
Used with genuine concern for the host's health.
Test Yourself
Which is the most appropriate response when your boss's wife offers to walk you to your car after dinner?
{阿姨|āyí}：{我|wǒ}{送|sòng}{你|nǐ}{到|dào}{楼下|lóuxià}{吧|ba}。 {你|nǐ}：_______。
{请留步|qǐng liúbù} is the perfect polite response to decline an escort from an elder or host.
Complete the phrase to politely tell someone not to see you out.
{请|qǐng}____。
The full phrase is {请留步|qǐng liúbù}.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are leaving a very busy doctor's office and he starts to stand up to shake your hand and walk you to the door.
It acknowledges the doctor's busy schedule and politely declines the escort.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
{A|A}: {外面|wàimiàn}{在|zài}{下雪|xiàxuě}，{我|wǒ}{送|sòng}{你|nǐ}{去|qù}{车站|chēzhàn}{吧|ba}。 {B|B}: {不用|bùyòng}{了|le}，{外面|wàimiàn}{太|tài}{冷|lěng}{了|le}，____。
B is declining the offer to be walked to the station because of the cold weather.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say {请留步|qǐng liúbù}
Formal
- • Offices
- • Interviews
- • Government buildings
Respectful
- • Elders' homes
- • Teachers' offices
- • Doctors' clinics
Practice Bank
4 exercises{阿姨|āyí}：{我|wǒ}{送|sòng}{你|nǐ}{到|dào}{楼下|lóuxià}{吧|ba}。 {你|nǐ}：_______。
{请留步|qǐng liúbù} is the perfect polite response to decline an escort from an elder or host.
{请|qǐng}____。
The full phrase is {请留步|qǐng liúbù}.
Situation: You are leaving a very busy doctor's office and he starts to stand up to shake your hand and walk you to the door.
It acknowledges the doctor's busy schedule and politely declines the escort.
{A|A}: {外面|wàimiàn}{在|zài}{下雪|xiàxuě}，{我|wǒ}{送|sòng}{你|nǐ}{去|qù}{车站|chēzhàn}{吧|ba}。 {B|B}: {不用|bùyòng}{了|le}，{外面|wàimiàn}{太|tài}{冷|lěng}{了|le}，____。
B is declining the offer to be walked to the station because of the cold weather.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, for very close friends of the same age, it sounds a bit stiff. Use '{不用送了|bùyòng sòng le}' instead.
No. Shopkeepers don't usually walk you out, and if they do, a simple 'Thank you' is enough. '{请留步|qǐng liúbù}' is for hosts.
Say '{请留步|qǐng liúbù}' once or twice. If they still insist, accept it gracefully and thank them again at the car.
Only in formality. Adding '{请|qǐng}' makes it more 'textbook' polite, while '{留步|liúbù}' is more common in daily life.
Absolutely. It is actually *most* appropriate for elders and superiors.
Related Phrases
{慢走|mànzǒu}
contrastWalk slowly / Take care.
{不用送了|bùyòng sòng le}
similarNo need to see me out.
{请回吧|qǐng huí ba}
similarPlease go back (inside).
{留步|liúbù}
specialized formStay steps.
