摇头

• Pinyin: yáo tóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 摇 = 扌 (hand) + 䍃, to shake/wave; 头 = head

Meaning

To shake one's head. A gesture typically indicating disagreement, refusal, or disappointment.

In Chinese culture, shaking one's head side to side universally means 'no' or expresses disapproval, sadness, or helplessness. Often paired with 叹气 (sigh) to show exasperation. The opposite gesture is 点头 (nod).

Examples

1. 他听完我的计划后摇了摇头，表示不同意。 After hearing my plan, he shook his head to indicate disagreement.
2. 老人摇头叹气，对现在的年轻人很失望。 The old man shook his head and sighed, disappointed with young people nowadays.
3. 我问她愿不愿意去，她摇头说不想去。 I asked if she wanted to go, and she shook her head saying she didn't want to.

Usage Guide

Context: gestures, disagreement, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他摇头表示反对。(He shook his head to express opposition.)
• 别摇头，告诉我到底怎么了。(Don't shake your head — tell me what's going on.)

Don't Say

• 她摇头了头 (Redundant — just say 她摇了摇头 or 她摇头了)

Origin & History

Verb-object compound of 摇 (to shake) and 头 (head). A direct description of the physical action.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal