Definition
挠头 is a separable verb (离合词) formed from 挠 (scratch) and 头 (head). Literally 'to scratch one's head', it is used figuratively to describe being perplexed or facing a difficult problem that makes you scratch your head. As a separable verb, you can insert measure words, complements, or 了 between the syllables (e.g., 挠了几下头 'scratched head a few times').
v.o.
(verb-object) to scratch one's head(figuratively) to be at a lossto be perplexed by something
Examples
- ，。Tā náo le jǐ xià tóu, háishì méi xiǎng chūlái.He scratched his head a few times but still couldn't figure it out.
- ，。Tā zhèngzài náo tóu, hǎoxiàng hěn wúnài.He is scratching his head, looking quite helpless.
- 。Zhè jiàn shì zhēn ràng rén náo tóu.This matter is really head-scratching.
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