Common Meanings
1
tóu头
The uppermost part of the human body or the foremost part of an animal's body; also used to refer to one's mind or intellect.
他有一个聪明的头脑，学习任何东西都很快
He has a clever mind and learns anything quickly.
Refers to hair or a hairstyle.
我今天要去理发店剪头。
Today I'm going to the barber shop to get my hair cut.
The top or end of an object, often referring to a specific part, such as a mountaintop or the tip of a pen.
这座山头很高。
This mountaintop is very high.
Refers to the beginning or starting point of something, or a clue/thread.
我们从头开始，把所有步骤都仔细检查一遍。
Let's start from the beginning and carefully recheck all the steps.
The remnant or scrap of an object; a small piece left over.
这些线头儿可以用来做小工艺品。
These thread scraps can be used to make small crafts.
first; initial (referring to a sequence or order, e.g., the first day, the first person)
他总是头一个到公司。
He is always the first one to arrive at the company.
First; initial; leading in order or importance.
他拿了头等奖。
He won the first prize.
Leader; headman; chief.
这个团队的头儿很会鼓励大家。
The head of this team is very good at encouraging everyone.
Side or perspective; indicating alignment or agreement in opinion or interest.
我们俩想问题总是在一头的。
The two of us always think about problems from the same perspective.
Used to indicate 'just before' or 'approaching' a specific time or action.
头吃饭，要先洗手。
Before eating, one must first wash their hands.
Classifier, primarily used for livestock, e.g., 'one head of cattle'.
农场里有三头毛驴。
There are three donkeys on the farm.
Used to indicate an approximate or indefinite quantity, often numerical.
他手头总有些闲钱，三头五百的对他来说不是问题。
He always has some spare cash on hand; three to five hundred is not an issue for him.
A nominal suffix, often attached to nouns, verbs, or adjectives to form new nouns, indicating a state, characteristic, or object. When used as a suffix, it is typically pronounced with a light tone.
这块木头很重。
This piece of wood is very heavy.
A suffix attached to nouns indicating location or direction, similar to '-side' or '-place' in English (e.g., 'inside', 'on top', 'behind').
你看看盒子里头有什么东西？
Can you see what's inside the box?