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出风头 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
出风头chūfēngtouto push oneself forwardHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #15379, Very Hard
出风头chūfēngtouto seek fameHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #15379, Very Hard
出风头chūfēngtouto be in the limelightHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #15379, Very Hard
出风头chūfēngtousame as 出鋒頭|出锋头[chu1 feng1 tou5]HSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #15379, Very Hard
chūfēngtou(chu1feng1tou5)chu feng tou T1
  1. 1to push oneself forward
  2. 2to seek fame
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March 24, 2026

出风头(出風頭)chūfēngtou(chu1feng1tou5)

出风头 means to seek attention or to put oneself in the spotlight, often in a way that draws admiration or criticism. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is trying to showcase their abilities or achievements, sometimes to the point of being showy or ostentatious.

Strokes14Frequency#15379DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, humility is often valued, and standing out too much can be frowned upon. 出风头 may imply a lack of modesty, which is important in social situations, particularly in professional settings.

Memory tip

Imagine a person trying to stand out in a crowd, waving their arms like a flag (出, 'chu') while a gust of wind (风, 'feng') lifts their hair dramatically. They are literally 'pushing their head out into the wind' (头, 'tou') to attract everyone's gaze.

Meanings of 出风头

chūfēngtou(chu1feng1tou5)
1to push oneself forward
2to seek fame
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About 出风头

出风头Simplified
出風頭Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 出风头

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Podcast: 出风头

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AI study notes for 出风头

Quick Contrast

出风头 (seek attention) vs 炫耀 (show off) - use 出风头 when the focus is on seeking attention in a broader sense, while 炫耀 emphasizes boasting about one's achievements.

Usage Notes

Be cautious about using 出风头 in formal contexts, as it can carry a slightly negative connotation of being overly showy. Common collocations include seeking fame or showing off talents. Watch out for the tonal pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

This phrase is suitable for intermediate learners (around HSK 4). It connects well with vocabulary related to social interactions and personal expression. Focus on understanding the context in which seeking attention can be seen positively or negatively.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 出风头 with phrases that have a more positive connotation, such as 展示 (to showcase). For example, saying '他在会议上出风头' (He is showing off at the meeting) may imply he is being overly showy rather than simply presenting well.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 出风头

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Component characters

出chūto go out
HSK 25 strokes凵
View full entry
风fēngwind
HSK 34 strokes风
View full entry
头tóuhead
HSK 25 strokes大
View full entry

How to say to push oneself forward in Chinese

“to push oneself forward” in Chinese is出风头chūfēngtou

出风头 means to seek attention or to put oneself in the spotlight, often in a way that draws admiration or criticism. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is trying to showcase their abilities or achievements, sometimes to the point of being showy or ostentatious.

When to use 出风头

Be cautious about using 出风头 in formal contexts, as it can carry a slightly negative connotation of being overly showy. Common collocations include seeking fame or showing off talents. Watch out for the tonal pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.

出风头 or something close to it

出风头 (seek attention) vs 炫耀 (show off) - use 出风头 when the focus is on seeking attention in a broader sense, while 炫耀 emphasizes boasting about one's achievements.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 出风头 with phrases that have a more positive connotation, such as 展示 (to showcase). For example, saying '他在会议上出风头' (He is showing off at the meeting) may imply he is being overly showy rather than simply presenting well.

Write 出风头

出
风
头

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Frequently asked questions about 出风头

Not necessarily, but it often implies a degree of showiness that might be viewed unfavorably.

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