Definition
骨头 (gǔ tou) refers to individual bones (e.g., a dog's bone) and also figuratively means toughness or stubbornness (as in 硬骨头 'tough nut') or hidden bitterness. Unlike 骨骼 (gǔ gé), which describes the whole skeleton collectively, 骨头 is for single bones. In its figurative sense, 骨头 implies resilience or resentment, not general moral character like 人品 or 品德.
noun
bone (of a human or animal)fig. toughnessstubbornness (in 硬骨头, 啃骨头)bitterness or resentment (hidden inside)
Measure word · 根, 块
Examples
- 骨头。Xiǎo gǒu zài kěn yì gēn gǔ tou.The puppy is gnawing on a bone.
- ，。Tā shì kuài yìng gǔ tou, shéi dōu bú pà.He's a tough nut, afraid of nobody.
- 骨头。Zhège nántí dàjiā dōu zài kěn gǔ tou.Everyone is struggling with this hard problem.
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.