nim6 tau4念頭念头
Jyutpingnim6 tau4
Yalenihm tàuh
Definition
An idea, thought, or initial intention to do something.
colloquialdaily actionsemotion
How it's used
Refers specifically to a fleeting or initial spark of an idea rather than a fully formed plan. It often carries a sense of a sudden impulse or a lingering thought that might not necessarily lead to action. While it can be used for positive ideas, it is frequently paired with negative or impulsive intentions.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
I suddenly had an idea to go traveling.
Why did you have this idea?
Related words
Common phrases
to give up an idea
to have an idea sprout in one's mind
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 諗法, which is a more general term for an opinion or a well-thought-out perspective. 念頭 is more about the initial impulse or the internal seed of an action.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
