码头

• Pinyin: mǎ tóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 码 = 石 (stone) + 马 (horse), piling stones; 头 = 豆 (bean) + 页 (head), the head/end

Meaning

Dock; wharf; pier. A platform where ships load and unload cargo or passengers.

Refers to waterfront structures for shipping and boating. Includes both commercial cargo terminals and passenger ferry piers. Historically important in China's river and coastal cities. Also used metaphorically for local territories or power bases.

Examples

1. 游客们在码头排队等待上船。 Tourists lined up at the pier waiting to board the ship.
2. 上海曾经是远东最繁忙的码头之一。 Shanghai was once one of the busiest ports in the Far East.
3. 渔船每天清晨从码头出发去捕鱼。 Fishing boats depart from the dock every early morning to catch fish.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, shipping, travel

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们约在码头见面。(Let's meet at the pier.)
• 货物已经运到码头了。(The goods have been transported to the dock.)

Don't Say

• 飞机降落在码头。(码头 is for water vessels only — use 机场 for airports)

Origin & History

码 (mǎ, yard/pile) + 头 (tóu, end/head). The loading/unloading end or platform.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal