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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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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
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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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
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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
Complete the Sentence
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.
