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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 头目 (tóumù) to refer to "chieftain" or "leader"

    Description & Modification

    Explanation

    头目 refers to a leader or chieftain, often with a connotation of leading a group outside of formal authority, such as a bandit chief or pirate leader. It carries a slightly informal or historical tone compared to neutral words like 领导.

    Examples

    • 那个海盗头目被警方抓住了。

      nàge hǎidào tóumù bèi jǐngfāng zhuā zhù le.

      That pirate leader was caught by the police.

    • 小说里的土匪头目其实是个好人。

      xiǎoshuō lǐ de tǔfěi tóumù qíshí shì gè hǎo rén.

      The bandit leader in the novel is actually a good person.

    • 他是这伙人的头目，所有人都听他的。

      tā shì zhè huǒ rén de tóumù, suǒyǒu rén dōu tīng tā de.

      He is the leader of this group; everyone listens to him.

    Using 头目 (tóumù) to refer to "chieftain" or "leader" | Chinese Grammar