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顶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
顶dǐngapexHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngcrown of the headHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngtopHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngroofHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngmostHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngto carry on the headHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngto push to the topHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngto go againstHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngto replaceHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngto substituteHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngto be subjected to (an aerial bombing, hailstorm etc)HSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐng(slang) to "bump" a forum thread to raise its profileHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngclassifier for headwear, hats, veils etcHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
顶dǐngtop, summit, peak; to carry on the headHSK 6, v, 8 strokes, radical 页, rank #1861, Hard
dǐng(ding3) T3
  1. 1apex
  2. 2crown of the head
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

顶(頂)dǐng(ding3)

The character 顶 (dǐng) primarily means 'top' or 'apex' and can refer to the crown of the head or the roof of a building. It is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as describing the highest point of something or expressing the idea of carrying something on one's head. Additionally, it has slang usage in online forums to mean 'bumping' a thread to increase its visibility.

Strokes8Radical页Frequency#1861DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'top' often relates to social hierarchy and respect, where the 'top' figure is seen as the leader or authority. The character's usage in everyday language reflects this cultural significance of status and position.

Memory Tip

Imagine a mountain peak (the 'top' or 'apex') with a large hat (headwear) sitting on it, symbolizing the character 顶. The radical for 'roof' (亠) at the top of the character hints at its meaning related to heights and coverings, while the sound 'dǐng' can remind you of the act of 'dinging' something to mark it as important.

Meanings of 顶

dǐng(ding3)
1apex
2crown of the head
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 顶

顶Simplified
頂Traditional
8Strokes
页Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1861Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 顶

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Podcast: 顶

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 顶

Quick Contrast

顶 (dǐng) vs 顶部 (dǐngbù) — use 顶 for informal or metaphorical contexts, while 顶部 is more formal and refers specifically to the top part of an object.

Usage Notes

In formal contexts, use 顶 to discuss heights or summits, while in informal settings, it can also refer to online discussions. Common mistakes include confusing 顶 with similar characters like 顶替 (dǐngtì, to replace), which is more specific. Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 顶 connects with other words related to height and elevation, such as 高 (gāo, tall) and 顶端 (dǐngduān, peak). Students should focus on its various usages in context, particularly in both physical and metaphorical settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 顶 with similar-sounding words like 丁 (dīng) or 顶替 (dǐngtì). For instance, saying '我想顶替他' (I want to top him) instead of '我想顶他' (I want to carry him) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 顶

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Etymology of 顶

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

Phonosemantic compound. 页 represents the meaning and 丁 represents the sound. Simplified form of 頂.

Memory Hint

head

Semantic (meaning)页
+
Phonetic (sound)丁
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 顶

Phonosemantic compound. 页 represents the meaning and 丁 represents the sound. Simplified form of 頂.

  1. 1The meaning half页 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half丁 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayhead
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 顶? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 顶?

Decomposition of 顶

IDS Structure⿰丁页
顶Full Character
=
丁Ding1
left
页ye4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 顶?

How to say apex in Chinese

“apex” in Chinese is顶dǐng

The character 顶 (dǐng) primarily means 'top' or 'apex' and can refer to the crown of the head or the roof of a building. It is commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as describing the highest point of something or expressing the idea of carrying something on one's head. Additionally, it has slang usage in online forums to mean 'bumping' a thread to increase its visibility.

When to use 顶

In formal contexts, use 顶 to discuss heights or summits, while in informal settings, it can also refer to online discussions. Common mistakes include confusing 顶 with similar characters like 顶替 (dǐngtì, to replace), which is more specific. Pay attention to the tone, as mispronouncing it can change its meaning entirely.

顶 or something close to it

顶 (dǐng) vs 顶部 (dǐngbù) — use 顶 for informal or metaphorical contexts, while 顶部 is more formal and refers specifically to the top part of an object.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 顶 with similar-sounding words like 丁 (dīng) or 顶替 (dǐngtì). For instance, saying '我想顶替他' (I want to top him) instead of '我想顶他' (I want to carry him) can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 顶

顶

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 顶

顶 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 14 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.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

建造工人必须把新建房屋的屋____固定得更牢靠些。

Builders must fasten down roofs of newly-built homes more securely.

Common Confusions with 顶

顶vs定
dìng

Similar pronunciation and structure.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "apex"?

or

Usage Notes for 顶

Misuse in Verb FormCommon Error

顶 is often mistakenly used interchangeably with similar verbs. It's important to understand its specific meaning related to 'top' or 'to carry'.

1

他顶着一个箱子。

He is carrying a box on his head.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他____着一个箱子。

He is carrying a box on his head.

Example Sentences for 顶 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
建造工人必须把新建房屋的屋顶固定得更牢靠些。

jiàn zào gōng rén bì xū bǎ xīn jiàn fáng wū de wū dǐng gù dìng dé gēng láo kào xiē。

Builders must fasten down roofs of newly-built homes more securely.
2
制作摇滚唱片并不要求你非得绝顶聪明。

zhì zuò yáo gǔn chàng piàn bìng bù yào qiú nǐ fēi dé jué dǐng cōng míng。

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to make a rock record.
3
我真的不理解这到底有什么意义，简直是愚蠢透顶。

wǒ zhēn de bù lǐ jiě zhè dào dǐ yǒu shí mó yì yì， ， jiǎn zhí shì yú chǔn tòu。

I don't see the point in it really. It's just stupid.
4
我不认为这是艺术。它简直无聊透顶，毫无品位。

wǒ bù rèn wéi zhè shì yì shù。 。 tā jiǎn zhí wú liáo tòu， dǐng ， háo wú。

I wouldn't call it art. It's just stupid and tasteless.
5
悬吊的屋顶下是一条宽阔的游廊。

xuán diào de wū dǐng xià shì yī tiáo kuān kuò de yóu láng。

There is a wide veranda under the overhang of the roof.
6
一群穿着白大褂的医生站在楼梯顶上。

yī qún chuān zháo bái dà guà de yī shēng zhàn zài lóu tī dǐng shàng。

At the top of the stairs stood the white-coated doctors.
7
一团油腻的黑色烟雾飘到悬崖顶上。

yī tuán yóu nì de hēi sè yān wù piāo dào xuán yá dǐng shàng。

A pall of oily black smoke drifted over the cliff-top.
8
他的顶头上司特别提到了他。

tā de dǐng tóu shàng sī tè bié tí dào le tā。

His immediate superior has singled him out for a special mention.
9
他被诊断患有严重的阅读困难症，但是却绝顶聪明。

tā bèi zhěn duàn huàn yǒu yán zhòng de yuè dú kùn nán zhèng， ， dàn shì què jué dǐng cōng。

He was diagnosed as severely dyslexic but extraordinarily bright.
10
他把手轻轻放在她的头顶上。

tā bǎ shǒu qīng qīng fàng zài tā de tóu dǐng shàng。

He laid his hand gently on the crown of her head.

Word Family of 顶

Words Containing This Character20
顶dǐngapex頂
屋顶wūdǐngroof屋頂
头顶tóudǐngtop of the head頭頂
顶尖dǐngjiānpeak頂尖
山顶shāndǐnghilltop山頂
顶级dǐngjítop-notch頂級
楼顶top of a building樓頂
房顶housetop房頂
顶部roof頂部
透顶out-and-out透頂
顶端summit頂端
顶住to withstand頂住
顶峰peak頂峰
顶多dǐngduōat most頂多
顶替to replace頂替
顶楼top floor頂樓
顶层top floor頂層
车顶car roof車頂
顶点summit頂點
顶嘴to talk back頂嘴
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 顶 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 顶

Some common phrases that include 顶 are '顶天立地' (to stand tall and firm) and '顶级' (top level or top-notch). These phrases reflect the character's meaning related to height or superiority.

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