掉
头

About

The word 掉头 is formed by combining two characters: 掉, which carries the meaning of "to turn" or "to change", and 头, which means "head". Together, they create a vivid, metaphorical image of literally "turning one's head around", which directly and intuitively conveys the physical action of reversing direction, as in making a U-turn.

Example Sentences Hide

请在这里掉头。

Qǐng zài zhèlǐ diàotóu.

Please make a U-turn here.

公交车司机在前面掉头。

Gōngjiāochē sījī zài qiánmiàn diàotóu.

The bus driver is making a U-turn ahead.

这段路太窄，不适合掉头。

Zhè duàn lù tài zhǎi, bù shìhé diàotóu.

This section of the road is too narrow and is not suitable for a U-turn.

看见路口有禁止掉头的标志，他只好继续直行。

Kànjiàn lùkǒu yǒu jìnzhǐ diàotóu de biāozhì, tā zhǐhǎo jìxù zhíxíng.

Seeing the no U-turn sign at the intersection, he had no choice but to continue straight.

在高速公路上错过出口后，他不得不开到下一个服务区掉头。

Zài gāosù gōnglù shàng cuòguò chūkǒu hòu, tā bùdébù kāi dào xià yī gè fúwùqū diàotóu.

After missing the exit on the highway, he had to drive to the next service area to turn around.

Word Definition - 掉头

diào tóu to turn one's head; to turn round; to turn about

Individual Character Details

掉 diào
头 tóu, tou