Definition
关头 (guān tóu) refers to a critical moment or juncture, often in set phrases like 紧要关头. It is more specific than 时刻 (shí kè), which can mean any moment. Compared to 关节 (guān jié, also 'critical phase'), 关头 emphasizes a decisive turning point, while 关节 focuses on a key link in a process. 契机 (qì jī) adds the sense of opportunity at that juncture.
noun
critical momentjuncture
Easily confused
- 罐头guàn tousound-alikecan, tin (metal container for food); canned food
Examples
- ，。Zài jǐnyào guān tóu, tā zuò chū le zhèngquè de juédìng.At the critical moment, he made the right decision.
- 关头，。Zhè shì juédìng gōngsī mìngyùn de guān tóu.This is a juncture that decides the company's fate.
- 关头，。Zài zhànzhēng de guānjiàn guān tóu, tāmen xuǎnzé le chètuì.At the critical juncture of the war, they chose to retreat.
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