diu6 zyun3 tau4掉轉頭掉转头
Jyutpingdiu6 zyun3 tau4
Yalediuh jyun tàuh
Definition
To turn around; to change direction or reverse course.
- to turn around, turn back, or reverse direction
- figurativeto invert facts or switch one's stance abruptly
colloquialdaily actionstransport
How it's used
Used primarily for physical movement, such as changing direction while walking or driving, or rotating one's head to look behind. It carries a slightly more informal tone than the more standard 調頭. When used figuratively, it implies a complete reversal of opinion or a sudden change in stance.
Examples
The road ahead is blocked, let's turn around and leave.
Why did you suddenly turn your head to look at me?
Related words
Common phrases
to turn around and leave
to turn one's head to look back
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 掉轉, which means to swap or invert the order of two things. While both contain the character 掉, 掉轉頭 specifically requires the head or body to physically rotate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
