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头衔 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
头衔tóuxiántitleHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #5895, Very Hard
头衔tóuxiánrankHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #5895, Very Hard
头衔tóuxiánappellationHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #5895, Very Hard
tóuxián(tou2xian2)tou xian T2
  1. 1title
  2. 2rank
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March 24, 2026

头衔(頭銜)tóuxián(tou2xian2)

头衔 refers to a title or rank that signifies a person's position or status. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as in job titles, academic degrees, or honorifics. Understanding this term is crucial for recognizing social hierarchies and formal relationships in Chinese culture.

Strokes16Frequency#5895DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, titles and ranks are highly significant, reflecting respect and hierarchy. For instance, addressing someone by their 头衔 is a common practice in professional and academic environments, showcasing the importance of status in social interactions.

Memory tip

Think of 头 (tóu) as 'head' and 衔 (xián) as 'to link' or 'to connect.' Imagine a leader with a 'head title' that connects them to their rank—this visualization helps remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 头衔

tóuxián(tou2xian2)
1title
2rank
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 头衔

头衔Simplified
頭銜Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 头衔

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Podcast: 头衔

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AI study notes for 头衔

Quick Contrast

职称 (zhíchēng) - use 头衔 when referring to formal titles that indicate status, while 职称 specifically relates to job titles in professional contexts.

Usage Notes

头衔 is typically used in formal situations, so it’s important to avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 职位头衔 (job title) and 学位头衔 (academic title). Be careful with pronunciation; ensure you use the correct tones to convey the meaning accurately.

HSK Study Tips

While 头衔 is not an HSK vocabulary word on its own, it is relevant at higher levels due to its use in discussing professions and status. Students should focus on related terms like 职位 (position) and 身份 (identity) to broaden their understanding of social contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 头衔 with 称号, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我有一个头衔' (I have a title) is correct, but saying '我有一个称号' can imply a more casual or informal title, which may not fit the context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 头衔

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Component characters

头tóuhead
HSK 25 strokes大
View full entry
衔xiánbit (of a bridle)
HSK 711 strokes彳
View full entry

How to say title in Chinese

“title” in Chinese is头衔tóuxián

头衔 refers to a title or rank that signifies a person's position or status. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as in job titles, academic degrees, or honorifics. Understanding this term is crucial for recognizing social hierarchies and formal relationships in Chinese culture.

When to use 头衔

头衔 is typically used in formal situations, so it’s important to avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include 职位头衔 (job title) and 学位头衔 (academic title). Be careful with pronunciation; ensure you use the correct tones to convey the meaning accurately.

头衔 or something close to it

职称 (zhíchēng) - use 头衔 when referring to formal titles that indicate status, while 职称 specifically relates to job titles in professional contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 头衔 with 称号, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我有一个头衔' (I have a title) is correct, but saying '我有一个称号' can imply a more casual or informal title, which may not fit the context.

Write 头衔

头
衔

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Frequently asked questions about 头衔

Generally, it is more common in formal contexts, such as business meetings or academic discussions, rather than in casual conversation.

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