当头

當頭

dāngtóu

adjective #17,614

Meanings

1 coming right into one's face
2 imminent; head-on
3 to put first

Characters

to face; to bear

Examples

烈日当头，大家都躲在阴凉处。

Lièrì dāngtóu, dàjiā dōu duǒ zài yīnliáng chù.

With the blazing sun overhead, everyone hid in the shade.

他给了我当头一棒。

Tā gěi le wǒ dāngtóu yī bàng.

He gave me a blow right to the head (a rude awakening).

Tips

usage

当头一棒 (dāngtóu yī bàng) is a common expression meaning 'a wake-up call' or 'a harsh blow that shocks you into awareness.' Also read as dàngtou (4th tone) when meaning 'pledge' or 'surety' in colloquial speech.

Stroke Order

当 dāng

头 tóu