点头

• Pinyin: diǎn tóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 点 (diǎn) — to dot, to nod; 头 (tóu) — head

Meaning

To nod (one's head). A gesture indicating agreement, understanding, or acknowledgment.

The most common word for nodding in Chinese. The opposite gesture is 摇头 (to shake one's head). Often used in narration to describe someone's reaction.

Examples

1. 他点头表示同意。 He nodded to show his agreement.
2. 老师问他懂不懂，他点头说懂了。 The teacher asked if he understood, and he nodded and said yes.
3. 她看到我以后，微笑着点头。 After she saw me, she smiled and nodded.

Usage Guide

Context: narration, description, body language

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他轻轻地点头。(He nodded gently.)
• 大家都点头同意了。(Everyone nodded in agreement.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合，光点头不说话可能不够礼貌 — in formal settings, nodding without a verbal reply may come across as too casual. Add a verbal acknowledgment like 好的 or 明白了.

Origin & History

Compound of 点 (to dot, to nod) and 头 (head). Literally 'to dip one's head' in a nodding motion.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal