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頭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
頭tóuhead; chief, boss; first, topzg, 16 strokes, radical 頁
tóu(tou2)tou T2
  1. 1head; chief, boss; first, top
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March 24, 2026

頭tóu(tou2)

The character 頭 (tóu) primarily means 'head' and can also refer to a chief or boss in various contexts. Additionally, it signifies 'first' or 'top,' indicating a position of prominence or leadership. This character is commonly used in phrases related to leadership or the top position in various fields.

Strokes16Radical頁
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 頭 often extends beyond just the physical head to represent authority and leadership, as seen in traditional hierarchies within families and organizations.

Memory tip

Imagine a giant head (頭) wearing a crown, symbolizing a boss or leader. The top part resembles a head sitting upon the neck, reinforcing the meaning of 'head' and 'top.' Picture the crown as the first or most important position.

Meanings of 頭

tóu(tou2)
1head; chief, boss; first, top
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 頭 means.

About 頭

頭Simplified
16Strokes
頁Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 頭

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Podcast: 頭

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AI Study Notes for 頭

Quick Contrast

首 (shǒu) - use 頭 (tóu) for the physical 'head' or metaphorical 'top' position, while 首 (shǒu) emphasizes the concept of 'first' or 'leader' in a more formal or specific context.

Usage Notes

When using 頭, be cautious about its collocations, such as 頭痛 (tóutòng) meaning 'headache.' Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters, such as 头 (tóu), which is the simplified form. The tone is crucial; ensure to pronounce it with a rising tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although 頭 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects well with vocabulary related to people and leadership. Students should focus on its use in compound words and phrases to better understand its application in context.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 頭 (tóu) with 头 (tóu), the simplified version. A common mistake is using 頭 in contexts where the simplified form is needed, such as in casual writing or digital communication.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 頭

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Etymology of 頭

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 頁 represents the meaning and 豆 represents the sound. The simplified character 头 was adapted from the cursive form of the traditional character 頭.

Memory hint

head

Semantic (meaning)頁
+
Phonetic (sound)豆
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

頭 = 頁 + 豆. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 頭

IDS Structure⿰豆頁
頭Full character
=
豆dou4
left
頁ye4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 頭?

How to say head; chief, boss; first, top in Chinese

“head; chief, boss; first, top” in Chinese is頭tóu

The character 頭 (tóu) primarily means 'head' and can also refer to a chief or boss in various contexts. Additionally, it signifies 'first' or 'top,' indicating a position of prominence or leadership. This character is commonly used in phrases related to leadership or the top position in various fields.

When to use 頭

When using 頭, be cautious about its collocations, such as 頭痛 (tóutòng) meaning 'headache.' Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters, such as 头 (tóu), which is the simplified form. The tone is crucial; ensure to pronounce it with a rising tone.

頭 or something close to it

首 (shǒu) - use 頭 (tóu) for the physical 'head' or metaphorical 'top' position, while 首 (shǒu) emphasizes the concept of 'first' or 'leader' in a more formal or specific context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 頭 (tóu) with 头 (tóu), the simplified version. A common mistake is using 頭 in contexts where the simplified form is needed, such as in casual writing or digital communication.

Write 頭

頭

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

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Word Family of 頭

Words containing this character20
头tóuhead頭
头发tóufahair (on the head)頭髮
回头huítóuto turn round回頭
镜头jìngtóucamera lens鏡頭
石头shítoustone石頭
头儿leader頭兒
头脑tóunǎobrains頭腦
街头jiētóustreet街頭
码头mǎtóudock碼頭
骨头gǔtoubone骨頭
点头diǎntóuto nod點頭
老头old fellow老頭
头痛to have a headache頭痛
舌头shétoutongue舌頭
摇头yáotóuto shake one's head搖頭
龙头faucet龍頭
念头niàntouthought念頭
一头yìtóuone head一頭
头疼tóuténgheadache頭疼
势头shìtoupower勢頭
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 頭

What does 头 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 頭

It is pronounced as 'tóu' with a rising tone.

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