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兴头 (xìng tou) — enthusiasm, keen interest

Definition

兴头 (xìngtou) is a colloquial noun for a sudden burst of enthusiasm or excitement — usually temporary, as in 'be in the mood for something'. Compare 兴趣 (xìngqù), which is a steadier, longer-term interest or hobby.

noun
enthusiasmkeen interest

Examples

  • 兴头。
    Tā duì zhè jiàn shì xìng tou shí zú.
    He is full of enthusiasm about this matter.
  • 兴头，。
    Dà jiā zhèng zài xìng tou shàng, bié sǎo le dà jiā de xīng.
    Everyone is in high spirits; don't spoil the fun.
  • ，兴头。
    Tā xìng zhì bó bó dì jiǎng zhe, xìng tou hěn gāo.
    He spoke with great interest, his enthusiasm high.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

兴xīnginterest
头tóusuffix

兴 names interest, and 头 adds the sense of an experienced feeling, giving keen interest.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 興; 兴 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 興 shows four hands lifting an object; the simplified 兴 is not the form described.

Open 兴 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 頭; 头 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yèhead
Sound part声符shēngfú
豆
豆dòu頭tóu
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 頭 shows 頁, meaning head, beside 豆 as a sound component; the simplified 头 is a later shorthand.

Open 头 →
Appears in
Emotions & Feelings

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