出头

chū tóu

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Uncommon

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Definitions

1. to get out of a predicament
2. to stick out
3. to take the initiative
4. remaining odd fraction after a division
5. a little more than

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Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 主动 zhǔ dòng 主动 zhǔ dòng to take the initiative to take the initiative: to take the initiative
• 零头 líng tóu 零头 líng tóu odd remaining odd fraction after a division: odd

Synonyms

2 items

• 摆脱 bǎi tuō 摆脱 bǎi tuō to break away from to get out of a predicament: to break away from
• 伸出 shēn chū 伸出 shēn chū to extend to stick out: to extend

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Learners often confuse 出头 with 出面. 出头 implies getting out of difficulty or sticking out, while 出面 means showing up in person to handle something.

Formality

出头 in the sense of 'to get out of a predicament' is mostly used in spoken or informal contexts, not formal writing.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他终于 出头 了。

He finally got out of his predicament.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 出头

• 出头的椽子先烂 出头的椽子先烂 chū tóu de chuán zi xiān làn: lit. rafters that jut out rot first (idiom)
• 出头鸟 出头鸟 chū tóu niǎo: to stand out (among a group)
• 枪打出头鸟 枪打出头鸟 qiāng dǎ chū tóu niǎo: the shot hits the bird that pokes its head out (idiom)
• 熬出头 熬出头 áo chū tóu: to break clear of all the troubles and hardships

Child Words of 出头

• 出 出 chū: to go out
• 头 头 tóu: head