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March 24, 2026
石头(石頭)shítou(shi2tou5)
石头 (shí tóu) refers to a stone or rock, often used to describe a solid and hard object found in nature. It is commonly encountered in contexts related to construction, landscaping, or as a natural material. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe something unyielding or tough.
Frequency#1856DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
Stones (石头) have significant cultural value in China, often associated with strength, stability, and endurance. In traditional Chinese gardens, stones are carefully placed to symbolize mountains and natural beauty, reflecting the deep appreciation for nature in Chinese aesthetics.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large, heavy stone (石头) being thrown by a strong person named Shi. The '石' (shí) looks like a stone, and '头' (tóu) sounds like 'tossing' it. Visualize Shi tossing the stone to remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.
Meanings of 石头
shítou(shi2tou5)
1stone
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About 石头
石头Simplified
石頭Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1856Frequency Rank
块Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 石头
Podcast: 石头
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AI Study Notes for 石头
Quick Contrast
石块 (shí kuài) refers to a block of stone, typically larger and more specifically shaped than 石头, which is a more general term for stones or rocks.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large, heavy stone (石头) being thrown by a strong person named Shi. The '石' (shí) looks like a stone, and '头' (tóu) sounds like 'tossing' it. Visualize Shi tossing the stone to remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the difference between 石头 (shí tóu) and its measuring word '块' (kuài), which means 'piece' or 'chunk.' While 石头 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, it is important to use the correct tone when pronouncing it, as mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 石头 connects well with other vocabulary related to nature and materials. Focus on using it in sentences about the environment or construction, which can help reinforce its meaning through context.
Cultural Note
Stones (石头) have significant cultural value in China, often associated with strength, stability, and endurance. In traditional Chinese gardens, stones are carefully placed to symbolize mountains and natural beauty, reflecting the deep appreciation for nature in Chinese aesthetics.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 石头 with rocks that are not solid, mistakenly using it to refer to gravel or pebbles. Instead, remember that 石头 refers specifically to larger, solid stones.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 石头
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Grammar Patterns of 石头
石头 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
tā wú fǎ què dìng dì bǎn shì mù tóu de huán shì shí tóu de。
He could not tell whether the floor was wood or stone.
2
有人把一大块石头给凿空了。
yǒu rén bǎ yī dà kuài shí tóu gěi záo kōng le。
Someone had hollowed out a large block of stone.
3
怀尔德摔倒了，头撞在石头地上。
huái ěr dé shuāi dǎo le， ， tóu zhuàng zài shí tóu dì。
Wilde fell and struck his head on the stone floor.
4
陡峭的石头地面排水性能很好。
dǒu qiào de shí tóu dì miàn pái shuǐ xìng néng hěn hǎo。
The steep, stony ground is well drained.
5
我的鞋跟儿给铺好的石头磨坏了。
wǒ de xié gēn ér gěi pū hǎo de shí tóu mó huài le。
I scuffed the heel of my shoe on the stonework.
6
愤怒的人群向那辆车扔石头，然后放火烧它。
fèn nù de rén qún xiàng nà liàng chē rēng shí tóu， ， rán hòu fàng huǒ shāo。
The enraged crowd stoned the car, then set it on fire.
7
那块大石头替他们挡住了寒风。
nà kuài dà shí tóu tì tā mén dǎng zhù le hán fēng。
The boulder sheltered them from the chilling wind.
8
他俯身捡起一块大石头扔了出去。
tā fǔ shēn jiǎn qǐ yī kuài dà shí tóu rēng le chū qù。
Stooping down, he picked up a big stone and hurled it.
9
谁愿意把这些石头堆起来?
shuí yuàn yì bǎ zhè xiē shí tóu duī qǐ lái?
Who will heap the stones?
10
哈特的头撞到石头上，疼得他大叫起来。
hā tè de tóu zhuàng dào shí tóu shàng， ， téng dé tā dà jiào qǐ。
Hart cried out as his head struck rock.
Cultural Notes for 石头
🏮Cultural insight
Stones (石头) have significant cultural value in China, often associated with strength, stability, and endurance. In traditional Chinese gardens, stones are carefully placed to symbolize mountains and natural beauty, reflecting the deep appreciation for nature in Chinese aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions about 石头
石 (shí) refers specifically to 'stone' as a material, while 石头 (shí tóu) refers to a stone as a physical object or rock.
Yes, 石头 can describe something unyielding or tough in a figurative context, such as a 'stone heart'.
You can say '这块石头很重' (Zhè kuài shítou hěn zhòng), meaning 'This stone is heavy'.
