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首 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
首
shǒu
head
HSK 4, m, 9 strokes, radical 首, rank #598, Medium
首
shǒu
chief
HSK 4, m, 9 strokes, radical 首, rank #598, Medium
首
shǒu
first (occasion, thing etc)
HSK 4, m, 9 strokes, radical 首, rank #598, Medium
首
shǒu
classifier for poems, songs etc
HSK 4, m, 9 strokes, radical 首, rank #598, Medium
首
shǒu
chief, head, leader
HSK 4, m, 9 strokes, radical 首, rank #598, Medium
shǒu(shou3)shou T3
1head
2chief
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March 24, 2026
首shǒu(shou3)
The character '首' (shǒu) primarily means 'head' or 'chief,' and can refer to a leader or the first item in a sequence. It is often used in contexts related to leadership or priority, such as '首脑' (shǒunǎo), meaning 'leader,' or '首先' (shǒuxiān), meaning 'first of all.' The nuance may change depending on its usage, indicating both a physical head and metaphorical leadership roles.
Strokes9Radical首Frequency#598DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '首' is significant in both historical and modern contexts, often associated with leadership dynamics in government and business. The '首席' (chief) role is highly respected, indicating a position of authority and responsibility.
Memory tip
Imagine a head (首) wearing a crown, symbolizing the chief of a tribe. The top part of the character resembles a head, while the bottom can be seen as a body. Visualize this ruler (the head) giving orders or leading, reinforcing the connection between the character and its meaning.
Meanings of 首
shǒu(shou3)
1head
2chief
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 首
首Simplified
9Strokes
首Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#598Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 首
Podcast: 首
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AI study notes for 首
Quick Contrast
首 (shǒu) vs 头 (tóu) — use 首 for leadership or priority contexts, while 头 refers to the physical head.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse '首' with similar characters like '头' (tóu), which also means 'head,' but '首' is more about leadership or being first. It is used in both formal and informal contexts but is particularly common in written Chinese. Be mindful of using it in compound phrases correctly, like '首席' (shǒuxí), meaning 'chief' or 'head' in a professional context.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, '首' connects with other vocabulary related to leadership and order, such as '领导' (lǐngdǎo, to lead) and '首先' (shǒuxiān, first). Focus on using it in phrases to strengthen your understanding of its application in various contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use '头' (tóu) in contexts where '首' (shǒu) is more appropriate, such as saying '头席' instead of '首席'. Additionally, mixing up the order of characters in phrases can lead to confusion; for example, using '首的' instead of '的首'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 首
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character '首' (shǒu) primarily means 'head' or 'chief,' and can refer to a leader or the first item in a sequence. It is often used in contexts related to leadership or priority, such as '首脑' (shǒunǎo), meaning 'leader,' or '首先' (shǒuxiān), meaning 'first of all.' The nuance may change depending on its usage, indicating both a physical head and metaphorical leadership roles.
When to use 首
Learners often confuse '首' with similar characters like '头' (tóu), which also means 'head,' but '首' is more about leadership or being first. It is used in both formal and informal contexts but is particularly common in written Chinese. Be mindful of using it in compound phrases correctly, like '首席' (shǒuxí), meaning 'chief' or 'head' in a professional context.
首 or something close to it
首 (shǒu) vs 头 (tóu) — use 首 for leadership or priority contexts, while 头 refers to the physical head.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use '头' (tóu) in contexts where '首' (shǒu) is more appropriate, such as saying '头席' instead of '首席'. Additionally, mixing up the order of characters in phrases can lead to confusion; for example, using '首的' instead of '的首'.
Write 首
首
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Practice writing 首 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 首
首 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
At the international conference, heads of state gathered to discuss global economic issues.
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Cultural Notes for 首
💡Did you know?
'首' is commonly used in the context of music and poetry. In traditional Chinese culture, the first verse of a poem is often considered the most important, setting the tone for the rest of the work.
Word Family of 首
Compounds4
道dàodirection
艏shǒuthe prow of a ship
馗kuícheekbone; path, road, intersection
馘guóto cut off the left ear; to tally the enemy's dead
Words containing this character20
首shǒuhead
首先shǒuxiānfirst (of all)
首次shǒucìfirst
首都shǒudūcapital (city)
首席shǒuxíchief (representative, correspondent etc)
首相shǒuxiàngprime minister (of Japan or UK etc)
首要shǒuyàothe most important
元首yuánshǒuhead of state
首发shǒufāfirst issue首發
自首zìshǒuto give oneself up
首领shǒulǐnghead首領
首届shǒujièfirst session (of a conference etc)首屆
为首wéishǒuhead為首
首饰shǒushìjewelry首飾
首选shǒuxuǎnpremium首選
首位shǒuwèifirst place
首脑shǒunǎoleader首腦
匕首bǐshǒudagger
首轮shǒulúnfirst round (of a competition etc)首輪
回首huíshǒuto turn around
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 首
What does 道 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 首
首 (shǒu) and 头 (tóu) both mean 'head', but they are used in different contexts. 首 is often used to indicate leadership or the first item in a series, while 头 is more commonly used in everyday expressions to refer to the physical head or the top of something.
Common phrases that include 首 are '首都' (shǒudū), meaning 'capital city', and '首位' (shǒuwèi), which means 'first position' or 'priority'. These phrases demonstrate the character's use in denoting leadership or being first.
首 can be used in sentences to indicate leadership or precedence. For example, you might say '他是公司的首席执行官' (Tā shì gōngsī de shǒuxí zhíxíngguān), which means 'He is the chief executive officer of the company.' You can also use it to refer to the first in a sequence, like '这是他的首本书' (Zhè shì tā de shǒu běn shū), meaning 'This is his first book.'
首 (shǒu) means 'head' or 'chief' in Chinese. It can also refer to the first in a series, such as the first occasion or item. Additionally, it serves as a classifier for poems, songs, and similar works.
'首' is more common in written and formal contexts, such as news articles or academic discussions, rather than casual conversations.
While '首' can technically refer to a physical head, it is primarily used in metaphorical contexts related to leadership and rank.
Common phrases include '首席' (shǒuxí, chief), '首都' (shǒudū, capital city), and '首先' (shǒuxiān, first of all).
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