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头绪 (tóu xù) — main threads or key points (of a complex matter); clue; way to proceed (especially in an investigation or difficult task)

Definition

Literally 'head-threads': the loose ends or key threads of a tangled problem, so 'clue' or 'lead' usually applies to how to proceed, not to evidence. Common with 理出 ∼ or 找到一些 ∼.

noun
main threads or key points (of a complex matter)clueway to proceed (especially in an investigation or difficult task)

Examples

  • ，头绪。
    Zhè ge wèn tí tài fù zá, wǒ yì diǎn tóu xù dōu méi yǒu.
    This problem is too complicated, I have no idea where to start.
  • ，头绪。
    Jǐng chá zhèng zài diào chá, yǐ jīng zhǎo dào le yì xiē tóu xù.
    The police are investigating and have already found some leads.
  • 。
    Tā huā le yì zhěng gè xià wǔ cái lǐ chū tóu xù.
    He spent the whole afternoon getting things sorted out.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

头tóubeginning
绪xùthread

头 (beginning) and 绪 (thread) together suggest the start of a thread, hence clue.

Characters in this word

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 →

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 緒; 绪 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
者
者zhě緒xù
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 緒 has 糹 (silk) and 者; 者 gives the sound. The simplified 绪 is not the form described here.

Open 绪 →
Appears in
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