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头顶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
头顶tóudǐngtop of the headHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #9322, Very Hard
tóudǐng(tou2ding3)tou ding T2
  1. 1top of the head
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March 24, 2026

头顶(頭頂)tóudǐng(tou2ding3)

头顶 (tóu dǐng) refers to the top part of the head, typically used in both anatomical contexts and metaphorically to indicate the highest point of something. It can be used in everyday conversations about health, hairstyle, or even in idiomatic expressions related to elevation or superiority.

Strokes13Frequency#9322DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the头顶 can be associated with mental clarity and stress levels, reflecting a holistic view of physical and mental well-being.

Memory tip

Imagine a tall hat sitting perfectly on the 'top' (头) of your head (顶). Visualize someone reaching up to grab a star from the top of their head, emphasizing the idea of elevation and the highest point.

Meanings of 头顶

tóudǐng(tou2ding3)
1top of the head
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About 头顶

头顶Simplified
頭頂Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 头顶

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; '头' (tóu) has the second tone, while '顶' (dǐng) has the third tone. This phrase is more informal and may not be suitable for formal writing or contexts. Common collocations include '头顶的头发' (hair on the top of the head) or '头顶的压力' (pressure on the head).

HSK Study Tips

This phrase is not directly included in the HSK vocabulary lists but connects well with HSK 3-4 level words related to body parts. Students should focus on the individual components and tones as they progress in their understanding of body-related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '头顶' with '头' (head) alone, forgetting the specific aspect of 'top.' For example, saying '我头疼' (wǒ tóuténg) to mean 'my head is at the top' is incorrect; it should be '我头顶疼' if referring to discomfort at the top of the head.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 头顶

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Component characters

头tóuhead
HSK 25 strokes大
View full entry
顶dǐngapex
HSK 68 strokes页
View full entry

How to say top of the head in Chinese

“top of the head” in Chinese is头顶tóudǐng

头顶 (tóu dǐng) refers to the top part of the head, typically used in both anatomical contexts and metaphorically to indicate the highest point of something. It can be used in everyday conversations about health, hairstyle, or even in idiomatic expressions related to elevation or superiority.

When to use 头顶

Be cautious with the tone; '头' (tóu) has the second tone, while '顶' (dǐng) has the third tone. This phrase is more informal and may not be suitable for formal writing or contexts. Common collocations include '头顶的头发' (hair on the top of the head) or '头顶的压力' (pressure on the head).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '头顶' with '头' (head) alone, forgetting the specific aspect of 'top.' For example, saying '我头疼' (wǒ tóuténg) to mean 'my head is at the top' is incorrect; it should be '我头顶疼' if referring to discomfort at the top of the head.

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头
顶

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Frequently asked questions about 头顶

Yes, but it's more common to say '我头痛' (wǒ tóutòng) for headache.

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