Definition
掉头 means 'to make a U-turn / turn around (vehicle)' — it emphasizes reversing direction, especially for cars. Unlike 回头 ('turn head / later') or 转身 ('pivot body'), 掉头 means a full 180° change of direction, often while driving. It is a separable verb (掉了个头).
verb
to turn around (head, body, or vehicle)to make a U-turn
Examples
- 。Tā zài lùkǒu diào le gè tóu jiù kāi zǒu le.He made a U-turn at the intersection and drove away.
- 掉头，。Qiánmiàn bù néng diào tóu, wǒmen děi rào lù.We can't turn around ahead; we have to take a detour.
- 掉头，。Nǐ xiān bǎ chē diào tóu, wǒmen zài chūfā.Turn the car around first, then we'll set off.
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