jiu4 tau4搖頭摇头
Jyutpingjiu4 tau4
Yaleyìuh tàuh
Definition
To shake one's head to express disapproval, disagreement, or denial.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
While 搖頭 is understood in Cantonese, native speakers overwhelmingly prefer the term 擰頭 in casual conversation. Using 搖頭 can sound slightly more formal or descriptive, similar to how one might describe an action in a story rather than just doing it. It is specifically used for a side to side motion to indicate disagreement or refusal.
Examples
Why are you shaking your head?
Related words
Common phrases
to shake one's head and wag one's tail (often describing someone acting smug or reading aloud rhythmically)
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 搖頭 with 搖擺, which refers to swaying or swinging objects. Remember that 搖頭 is strictly for the head, whereas 擰頭 is the more natural, everyday verb for this specific gesture.
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.
