头马

頭馬

tóumǎ

noun #34,449

Measure Word

一匹头马 pǐ

Meanings

1 lead horse (of a herd or caravan)
2 (figurative) lead figure; right-hand person; top henchman

Characters

head; first; lead

Examples

马群里的头马总是走在最前面。

Mǎ qún lǐ de tóumǎ zǒngshì zǒu zài zuì qiánmiàn.

The lead horse of the herd always walks at the front.

他是老板手下的头马。

Tā shì lǎobǎn shǒuxià de tóumǎ.

He is the boss's right-hand man.

Tips

culture

Originally a literal term for the lead horse of a herd or caravan (the one others follow). In Hong Kong gangster films and TV (especially Cantonese 头马 'tau4 maa5'), it has become a stock term for the top lieutenant or right-hand man of a triad boss.

Stroke Order

头 tóu

马 mǎ