noun / measure word / suffix HSK 1
Traditional 頭
head · top · chief · first · measure word for livestock
Meaning
头 is one of the most fundamental Chinese words, primarily meaning 'head' as a body part. It extends metaphorically to mean 'top', 'beginning', or 'chief' (like the head of an organization). As a measure word, it counts large livestock animals like cattle and pigs.
Usage
Native speakers use 头 in countless compounds and as a noun suffix (like 木头 'wood', 石头 'stone'). As a measure word, it specifically counts large domesticated animals. In colloquial speech, 头 appears in many idioms and directional words like 前头 (front), 后头 (back), 上头 (above).
Examples
- 01我的头很痛。.My head hurts a lot.
- 02农场里有三头牛。.There are three cattle on the farm.
Measure words
- 个一个头
Common collocations
- 头发hair (on head)
- 头痛headache
- 回头to turn one's head; later
- 从头到尾from start to finish
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 頭 is a pictophonetic character combining 頁 (page/head) and 豆 (bean) as a phonetic component. The simplified form 头 uses 大 (big) with a modified top.