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木头 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
木头mùtouslow-wittedHSK 5, n, 9 strokes, rank #4315, Hard
木头mùtoublockheadHSK 5, n, 9 strokes, rank #4315, Hard
木头mùtoulog (of wood, timber etc)HSK 5, n, 9 strokes, rank #4315, Hard
mùtou(mu4tou5)mu tou T4
  1. 1slow-witted
  2. 2blockhead
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March 24, 2026

木头(木頭)mùtou(mu4tou5)

木头 (mù tóu) primarily refers to a log or piece of wood, commonly used in contexts related to construction or crafts. Additionally, it can be used colloquially to describe someone as slow-witted or a blockhead, often in a teasing manner among friends or peers.

Strokes9Frequency#4315DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese craftsmanship, wood has significant cultural importance, often associated with traditional carpentry and architecture. The term 木头 also reflects a humorous side of Chinese language, where playful insults among friends can indicate closeness.

Memory Tip

Imagine a thick log of wood that is so heavy and solid that it can't think quickly, symbolizing a slow-witted person. The character 木 (mù) represents 'tree' or 'wood,' and 头 (tóu) means 'head,' reminding you of a 'head of wood' — someone who is a bit dense.

Meanings of 木头

mùtou(mu4tou5)
1slow-witted
2blockhead
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 木头

木头Simplified
木頭Traditional
9Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4315Frequency Rank
块Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 木头

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Podcast: 木头

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AI Study Notes for 木头

Quick Contrast

木材 (mùcái) - use 木头 (mùtou) for a more informal or colloquial context, while 木材 (mùcái) is more technical and formal.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 木头 with similar-sounding or related words that have different meanings. While it's informal and can be playful, using it in a formal context may be inappropriate. Common collocations include 木头人 (mù tóu rén), meaning 'blockhead person'.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 木头 connects to other vocabulary related to materials and qualities. Focus on understanding its dual meanings and practice using it in both contexts: as a physical object and as an idiomatic expression for intelligence.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 木头 by using it in overly formal contexts or confusing it with other materials. For example, saying '这是一块木头' (This is a piece of wood) is correct, but saying '他是木头' (He is a wood) without context may sound strange.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 木头

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Component Characters

木mùtree
HSK 14 strokes木
View full entry
头tóuhead
HSK 25 strokes大
View full entry

How to say slow-witted in Chinese

“slow-witted” in Chinese is木头mùtou

木头 (mù tóu) primarily refers to a log or piece of wood, commonly used in contexts related to construction or crafts. Additionally, it can be used colloquially to describe someone as slow-witted or a blockhead, often in a teasing manner among friends or peers.

When to use 木头

Be careful not to confuse 木头 with similar-sounding or related words that have different meanings. While it's informal and can be playful, using it in a formal context may be inappropriate. Common collocations include 木头人 (mù tóu rén), meaning 'blockhead person'.

木头 or something close to it

木材 (mùcái) - use 木头 (mùtou) for a more informal or colloquial context, while 木材 (mùcái) is more technical and formal.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 木头 by using it in overly formal contexts or confusing it with other materials. For example, saying '这是一块木头' (This is a piece of wood) is correct, but saying '他是木头' (He is a wood) without context may sound strange.

Write 木头

木
头

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

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Grammar Patterns of 木头

木头 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他无法确定地板是____的还是石头的。

He could not tell whether the floor was wood or stone.

Example Sentences for 木头 (10)

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1
他无法确定地板是木头的还是石头的。

tā wú fǎ què dìng dì bǎn shì mù tóu de huán shì shí tóu de。

He could not tell whether the floor was wood or stone.
2
木头最近经过抛光又恢复了光泽。

mù tóu zuì jìn jīng guò pāo guāng yòu huī fù le guāng zé。

The wood had been recently polished to bring back the shine.
3
笨重的深色桌子上嵌有颜色较浅的木头。

bèn zhòng de shēn sè zhuō zǐ shàng qiàn yǒu yán sè jiào qiǎn de mù tóu。

The heavy dark table is inlaid with lighter wood.
4
有个犯人刻了一副漂亮的木头象棋。

yǒu gè fàn rén kè le yī fù piāo liàng de mù tóu xiàng qí。

One of the prisoners has carved a beautiful wooden chess set.
5
看那边，就在木头柱子的旁边。

kàn nà biān， ， jiù zài mù tóu zhù zǐ de páng。

Now look yonder, just beyond the wooden post there.
6
这块木头的4个角刨过后就变小了。

zhè kuài mù tóu de4 4 gè jiǎo páo guò hòu jiù biàn xiǎo。

The piece was reduced in size by planing down the four corners.
7
打磨木头的表面，为刷清漆做准备。

dǎ mó mù tóu de biǎo miàn， ， wéi shuā qīng qī zuò zhǔn。

Rub the surface of the wood in preparation for the varnish.
8
他用钉子把两块木头接起来.

tā yòng dīng zǐ bǎ liǎng kuài mù tóu jiē qǐ lái.

He joined up the two pieces of wood together with nails.
9
把这块木头绑到那根竿子上使它更长些.

bǎ zhè kuài mù tóu bǎng dào nà gēn gān zǐ shàng shǐ tā gēng cháng xiē.

Lash the piece of wood to the pole to make it longer.
10
他把这块木头凿刻成人头的形状.

tā bǎ zhè kuài mù tóu záo kè chéng rén tóu de xíng zhuàng.

He chiseled the piece of wood into the shape of a head.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 木头

No, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a slow-witted person.

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