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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to shake head' with 摇头 (yáotóu)

    Actions & Events
    Negation

    Structure

    Subject + 摇头

    Explanation

    The verb 摇头 (yáotóu) means "to shake one's head" and typically indicates disagreement, disapproval, or disbelief. It is a verb-object compound where 摇 means "to shake" and 头 means "head." It is commonly used in narrative writing to show a character's reaction.

    Examples

    • 他听了这个提议，默默摇头。

      Tā tīng le zhège tíyì, mòmò yáotóu.

      After hearing the proposal, he silently shook his head.

    • 妈妈摇头说这样做不行。

      Māma yáotóu shuō zhèyàng zuò bùxíng.

      Mom shook her head and said that wouldn't work.

    • 老师摇头表示不同意我的回答。

      Lǎoshī yáotóu biǎoshì bù tóngyì wǒ de huídá.

      The teacher shook her head to indicate she didn't agree with my answer.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'to shake head' with 摇头 (yáotóu) | Chinese Grammar