Meaning and Usage
"石头" (shí tou) primarily means "stone" or "rock" in everyday Chinese. It refers to natural mineral material found outdoors or used as a tool or object.
Literal Use
It is commonly used to describe physical stones, such as those found by rivers or in construction. For example, 河边的石头 (stones by the riverbank).
Figurative Use
"石头" can also be used metaphorically to describe something heavy, hard, or emotionally weighty, as in 这句话像石头一样重 (this sentence is as heavy as a stone).
Common Collocations
- 石头块 (stone piece): a chunk or piece of stone
- 石头路 (stone road): a road paved with stones
- 石头心肠 (stone heart): describing someone as cold or unfeeling
Tips
When using "石头," note that the second character "头" (head) here functions as a noun suffix, making the compound a noun. Avoid confusing it with "石" alone, which can be more general or technical. "石头" is more colloquial and common in spoken language.