到头 (dào tóu) — to reach the end, to come to an end

Definition

到头 is a verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to reach the end'. It often appears in its negated potential form 不到头 ('can't reach the end') indicating inability to complete something. It is also the core of the fixed phrase 到头来 ('in the end, ultimately'). You can separate the syllables with 不 for negation or with 了 and aspect markers: 到了头.

v.o.

to reach the endto come to an end

Examples

到头。
Zhè tiáo lù yǐjīng dào tóu le.
This road has come to an end.
。
Tā pà zìjǐ jiānchí bú dào tóu.
He's afraid he won't be able to hold out to the end.
到头。
Bú yào děng dào shìqing dào tóu le cái hòuhuǐ.
Don't wait until things have come to an end to regret.

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