Spot 头
Find the repeated shape and notice where it sits before trying to memorize the whole character.
Visual pattern
头 component
tóu · head; chief, boss; first, top
A recurring visual building block found inside multiple Chinese characters. Compare what stays the same and what changes across the family.
A repeatable reading move
How to use 头
Use the component as a clue, then verify the complete character.
Compare the visual pattern
Use the stable shape to recognize the family, without assuming it always supplies meaning or sound.
Check what changes
Read the remaining component, then confirm the full pinyin, meaning, and stroke order on the character page.
Shared clue头Visual pattern
Read the pattern before memorizing the list
Use the shared shape as a recognition anchor, then confirm the full character's pronunciation and meaning.
The component page is a learning family; the radical page is a dictionary index. A shape can serve both roles.
Compare the family
What stays the same, what changes?
Each card keeps 头 visible while showing the other building blocks and the completed character.
买=
乛
实=
宀
Move into vocabulary
Words you can read next
These words contain characters from the 头 family. Open one to see its complete breakdown.
买mǎi
to buy
HSK 3.0 · L1其实qíshíactually
HSK 3.0 · L3诚实chéngshíhonest
HSK 3.0 · L4购买gòumǎito purchase
HSK 3.0 · L4确实quèshíindeed
HSK 3.0 · L4实际shíjìreality
HSK 3.0 · L4实际上shíjìshàngin fact
HSK 3.0 · L4实在shízàireally
HSK 3.0 · L4果实guǒshífruit
HSK 3.0 · L5买卖mǎimaipurchase and sale
HSK 3.0 · L5实践shíjiànpractice
HSK 3.0 · L5实力shílìstrength
HSK 3.0 · L5