Meaning and Usage
The character 首 primarily means 'head' or 'leader.' It can refer to the physical head of a person or animal, the chief or leader of a group, or a measure word for songs or poems (e.g., 一首歌, one song).
Common Collocations
- 首领 (shǒulǐng): leader or chief, used for heads of groups or organizations.
- 一首歌 (yī shǒu gē): one song, a common measure word usage.
- 首都 (shǒudū): capital city, literally 'head city.'
Usage Notes
When used to mean 'head' as a body part, 首 is more formal or literary compared to 头 (tóu), which is more common in everyday speech. As a measure word for songs or poems, it is fixed and cannot be replaced by other measure words.
Common Confusion
Don't confuse 首 (shǒu) meaning 'head' or 'leader' with 手 (shǒu), which means 'hand.' They sound the same but have different meanings and characters.