回头

回頭
huítóu
verb HSK 6 #1,698

Meanings

  1. 1 to turn one's head; to look back
  2. 2 later; afterwards

Characters

To turn one's head back.

Examples

HSK 4
Huítóu zàishuō ba.
Let's talk about it later.
HSK 5
Tā huítóu kàn le wǒ yìyǎn.
He turned his head and glanced at me.
HSK 6
Huítóu shì àn.
Turning back is the shore (it's never too late to repent).

Tips

culture
回头是岸 (turning back is the shore) is a Buddhist proverb meaning it's never too late to mend your ways. The full version is 苦海无边,回头是岸 - the sea of suffering is boundless, but turn back and the shore is there.
register
The 'later / afterwards' sense is colloquial and points to a vague near future, as in casual promises to do something soon. It is separate from the literal 'turn one's head' meaning.

Stroke Order

huí
tóu