Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
出头 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
出头chūtóuto get out of a predicamentHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #8651, Very Hard
出头chūtóuto stick outHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #8651, Very Hard
出头chūtóuto take the initiativeHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #8651, Very Hard
出头chūtóuremaining odd fraction after a divisionHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #8651, Very Hard
出头chūtóua little more thanHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #8651, Very Hard
chūtóu(chu1tou2) T1
  1. 1to get out of a predicament
  2. 2to stick out
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

出头(出頭)chūtóu(chu1tou2)

出头 (chū tóu) refers to breaking free from a difficult situation or standing out in a particular context. It can imply taking the initiative or being more than just average, often used in both personal and professional settings to describe someone who distinguishes themselves or overcomes challenges.

Strokes10Frequency#8651DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of standing out or taking initiative, as expressed by 出头, is often associated with the value of hard work and perseverance, particularly in competitive environments like education and business.

Memory Tip

Imagine a turtle (头) sticking its head (出) out of its shell, eager to explore the world. This imagery connects the idea of getting out of a predicament and standing out, making '出头' memorable as the turtle bravely ventures beyond its safe space.

Meanings of 出头

chūtóu(chu1tou2)
1to get out of a predicament
2to stick out
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 出头

出头Simplified
出頭Traditional
10Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 出头

JasonAmy

Podcast: 出头

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 出头

Quick Contrast

出众 (chū zhòng) - use 出头 when emphasizing breaking free from difficulties rather than just standing out; 突出 (tū chū) - use 出头 for personal initiative in overcoming challenges, while 突出 focuses on highlighting or emphasizing something.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 出头 with similar phrases that imply simply sticking out without the connotation of initiative or overcoming challenges. It's often used in informal contexts but can also appear in formal discussions about personal development or leadership.

HSK Study Tips

For HSK learners, focus on understanding the nuances of this word in relation to personal growth and initiative. It connects well with other HSK vocabulary related to challenges and accomplishments, encouraging learners to explore phrases that describe success and differentiation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 出头 with 出现 (chū xiàn), which means 'to appear.' For instance, saying '他出现在公司' (He stands out in the company) is incorrect; it should be '他在公司中出头.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 出头

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 出头 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

出chūto go out
HSK 25 strokes凵
View full entry
头tóuhead
HSK 25 strokes大
View full entry

How to say to get out of a predicament in Chinese

“to get out of a predicament” in Chinese is出头chūtóu

出头 (chū tóu) refers to breaking free from a difficult situation or standing out in a particular context. It can imply taking the initiative or being more than just average, often used in both personal and professional settings to describe someone who distinguishes themselves or overcomes challenges.

When to use 出头

Be cautious not to confuse 出头 with similar phrases that imply simply sticking out without the connotation of initiative or overcoming challenges. It's often used in informal contexts but can also appear in formal discussions about personal development or leadership.

出头 or something close to it

出众 (chū zhòng) - use 出头 when emphasizing breaking free from difficulties rather than just standing out; 突出 (tū chū) - use 出头 for personal initiative in overcoming challenges, while 突出 focuses on highlighting or emphasizing something.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 出头 with 出现 (chū xiàn), which means 'to appear.' For instance, saying '他出现在公司' (He stands out in the company) is incorrect; it should be '他在公司中出头.'

Write 出头

出
头

Practice writing 出头 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Frequently Asked Questions about 出头

For example, you might say, '他在公司中出头了,' meaning 'He stood out in the company.'

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 出头?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.