Definition
断头 (duàn tóu) is a separable verb (离合词) that literally means 'to behead' or 'to cut off someone's head'. In colloquial and internet slang, it is used hyperbolically to mean 'to die (from laughter, shock, etc.)' — similar to English 'I'm dead'. It can also refer to a stream or broadcast ending abruptly ('cut off'). When used in its literal sense, the verb 断 and object 头 can separate to insert aspect markers like 了 or measure words, e.g., 断了头.
v.o.
to beheadto cut off the head(slang) to die (from laughter, surprise, etc.)to be dead from something overwhelming(of a broadcast/stream) to end abruptlyto be cut off
Examples
- 。Gǔdài huángdì xiàlìng duàn le nà ge rén de tóu.In ancient times, the emperor ordered that person's head cut off.
- ，断头！Zhège xiàohuà tài hǎoxiào le, wǒ duàn tóu le!This joke is so funny, I'm dead!
- 断头，。Zhíbō hūrán duàn tóu le, guānzhòng dōu juéde hěn qíguài.The livestream suddenly ended, and the audience found it very strange.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.