头
Character learning workspace

tóu / tou · head

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 3.0 · Level 2Frequency #329
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 头

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

Interactive stroke trainerWatch and inspect
Checking daily allowance…Please waitGo unlimited
Loading strokes…
0 strokes
Choose Watch order or Practice writing
Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

头 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

tóu

head; hair style; the top

头发tóu fa · hair
tou

suffix for nouns

馒头mán tou · steamed bun
Step-by-step explorer

See how 头 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

Loading stroke diagrams…

Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

头
Complete decomposition unavailableThis character is currently indexed as a single visual form.
Writing notes

Shape and proportion

5Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Single-componentCharacter structure

Keep the whole form centered inside the writing square.

大Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 头 writing sheet

Get a ready-to-use A4 sheet immediately, or open the full builder to change its grid and guidance.

Preparing worksheet…
Customize

Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 头

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

tóuhead; hair style; the top
tousuffix for nouns
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 头 sits in each complete thought.

Nǐ bǎ wǒ de tóufa jiǎn dé tài duǎn le.你把我的头发剪得太短了。

You've cut my hair too short.

Source: Tatoeba #1767731 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Tā de tóu tòng le.他的头痛了。

He's got a headache.

Source: Tatoeba #688812 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Suǒ yǒu de wán jù dōu shì mùtou zuò de.所有的玩具都是木头做的。

All the toys are made of wood.

Source: Tatoeba #10182804 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ de tóufa shì hè sè de.我的头发是褐色的。

I have brown hair.

Source: Tatoeba #8829217 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ kàn jiàn yí gè cháng tóufa de nǚ shēng.我看见一个长头发的女生。

I saw a girl with long hair.

Source: Tatoeba #332523 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Dà wèi de tóufa liú le hěn duō nián le.大卫的头发留了很多年了。

David has been growing his hair for years.

Source: Tatoeba #12569617 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 头 in context

  1. Say tóu / tou, then recall the core meaning: head.
  2. Write all 5 strokes while keeping the single-component balanced.
  3. Use it in 头发 (tóu fa), meaning “hair”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 头 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.