# LIU

/ˈɫju/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/liu
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a Chinese family name that is very common. It is one of the most popular surnames in the world, especially in China.

For teachers: a common Chinese surname, historically associated with the Han dynasty imperial family. When used in English contexts, it functions as a proper name and follows standard capitalization rules.

## Examples

- My friend Liu is coming over for dinner tonight.
- The research paper was co-authored by Professor Liu, a leading expert in renewable energy systems.
- While the surname Liu is exceptionally common across mainland China, its romanization can vary in other regions, appearing as Lau in Cantonese-speaking areas or Ryoo in certain Korean contexts.

## Usage notes

- As a proper noun, it is capitalized and typically used without an article unless referring to a specific family group.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.