While “leaving a message” is a universal concept, the culture around 留言 (liúyán) in China has a unique modern dimension, largely shaped by the internet. Historically, leaving messages was a formal affair, often through letters or message boxes in a work unit (`单位`, dānwèi). Today, the act of 留言 has become a primary form of public discourse and social participation. In the West, “leaving a comment” can sometimes be a secondary activity. In China, the comment section (`评论区`, pínglùn qū) of a news article or a Weibo post is often a main event. It's a vibrant, chaotic, and powerful space where public opinion is formed and expressed. Unlike the often private nature of a Western voicemail, a 留言 in China is frequently public and social. To 留言 on a friend's WeChat Moments is an act of social maintenance, showing you are paying attention. To 留言 on a public post is to join a massive, real-time conversation. This reflects a cultural tendency towards collective expression, where individual voices join a larger chorus to discuss, debate, and even influence events.
留言 is an everyday word used in both digital and physical contexts.
This is the most common context for 留言 today.