TongTong
Sign in

搞头 (gǎo tóu) — (colloquial) potential for gain; point; worth

Definition

A colloquial noun used mainly in 有/没 to ask whether something (a job, deal, project) is worth doing — 'is there any point / potential gain in it?' Mostly spoken, not written.

noun
(colloquial) potential for gainpointworth

Examples

  • 搞头？
    Zhè ge gōng zuò yǒu gǎo tóu ma?
    Does this job have any potential?
  • 搞头，。
    Nà ge xiàng mù méi shén me gǎo tóu, bié zuò le.
    That project isn't worth it; don't do it.
  • 搞头。
    Wǒ jué de zhè ge shēng yì hěn yǒu gǎo tóu.
    I think this business has great potential.

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.

搞gǎodo
头tóuprospect

搞 refers to doing or managing, and 头 adds the sense of a worthwhile prospect or potential gain.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
高
高gāo搞gǎo
Same sound today

搞 has 扌, a hand, on the left and 高 on the right; the 高 part gives the sound.

Open 搞 →

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
Abstract Concepts

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.