diu6 tau4掉頭掉头
Jyutpingdiu6 tau4
Yalediuh tàuh
Definition
To make a U-turn; to turn 180 degrees and proceed in the opposite direction.
colloquialtransportdaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal driving maneuver, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone changing their mind or reversing their stance on a decision. It carries a sense of suddenness or a complete shift in direction. When used in traffic, it specifically refers to a 180 degree turn rather than just turning a corner.
Examples
Make a U-turn at the intersection ahead.
Are you planning to make a U-turn here?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 掉, which can mean to throw away in Cantonese. While they share the same character, the context of driving or changing direction makes the meaning of 掉頭 clear.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
