点点头 (diǎn diǎn tóu) — to nod one's head (briefly or a few times)

Definition

A reduplicated verb meaning a brief, light nod — softer and more casual than a single firm nod. Written without a space when used as a set verb.

verb
to nod one's head (briefly or a few times)

Examples

  • 点点头，。
    Tā diǎn diǎn tóu, biǎo shì tóng yì.
    He nodded, showing agreement.
  • ，点点头。
    Tā kàn dào lǎo péng you, wēi xiào zhe diǎn diǎn tóu.
    She saw an old friend and nodded with a smile.
  • ，点点头。
    Tīng wán wǒ de jiě shì, tā zhōng yú diǎn diǎn tóu le.
    After hearing my explanation, he finally nodded.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

点点nod briefly
点diǎnnod点diǎnnod
重叠Reduplication
头tóubody part

点 means to nod; 头 names the body part. Repeating 点 makes the action brief or light.

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 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →

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 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →

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 →

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