Definition
摇头 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to shake one's head' — a gesture of disagreement, refusal, or disappointment. When you need to add a duration, frequency, or object, the verb 摇 and the noun 头 separate: e.g., 摇了一下头 ('shook head once'), 摇着头 ('shaking one's head'). The person whose head is shaken is typically the subject, not a separate object.
v.o.
to shake one's head (in disagreement, refusal, or disappointment)
Examples
- ，摇头，。Tā tīng le wǒ de huà, zhǐshì yáo tóu, shénme yě méi shuō.After hearing what I said, he just shook his head and said nothing.
- ：“，。”Māma yáo zhe tóu shuō: “Bùxíng, zhèyàng tài wēixiǎn le.”Mom shook her head and said, 'No, this is too dangerous.'
- ，。Tā yáo le hǎo jǐ cì tóu, biǎoshì bù tóngyì.He shook his head several times to show disagreement.
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