Chinese word

上头

Pronunciation

Pinyinshàng tou

Meaning

  • nountop

Example

桌子上头有一本书。zhuō zi shàng tou yǒu yì běn shū

There is a book on top of the table.

Illustration for 上头 (top)

More examples

这个项目还要等上头批准才能开始。zhè ge xiàng mù hái yào děng shàng tou pī zhǔn cái néng kāi shǐ

This project can start only after it receives approval from upper management.

Core concept

A position above or at the top, with the same upward idea applied to higher authorities and to alcohol affecting the head.

Common phrases

  • 上头批准shàng tou pī zhǔn

    upper management approval

  • 上头干预shàng tou gān yù

    upper management intervention

Similar words

上面shàng miàn: The upper surface of something.
上边shàng biān: The upper part or nearby area of something.

Definition in Chinese

表示位置，指某物体或地方的上方或顶部。biǎo shì wèi zhì zhǐ mǒu wù tǐ huò dì fāng de shàng fāng huò dǐng bù

Word origin

上 (shàng, "above") + 头 (tou, "head or end") forms a compound for an upper position, which naturally extends to people at the top of an organization and to the effect of alcohol on the head.

Usage tips

  • In casual speech, this word can describe a person whose judgment is overtaken by strong emotion or alcohol, so context separates that use from a physical location.

Other meanings

  • upper managementnoun
  • drunkadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word