出头鸟 (chūtóuniǎo) · the one who sticks their neck out

Measure Word

一只出头鸟 zhī

Meanings

1 the one who sticks their neck out
2 the person who stands out (and attracts trouble)
3 a nail that sticks up

Characters

Examples

HSK 5

在公司里做出头鸟要承担不少风险。

Zài gōngsī lǐ zuò chūtóuniǎo yào chéngdān bùshǎo fēngxiǎn.

Sticking your neck out at a company comes with real risks.

HSK 6

枪打出头鸟，他可不愿意第一个站出来。

Qiāng dǎ chūtóuniǎo, tā kě bú yuànyì dìyī ge zhàn chūlái.

The gun shoots the bird that pokes its head out - he certainly doesn't want to be the first to speak up.

Tips

culture

Best known from the saying 枪打出头鸟 - the bird that pokes its head out gets shot. Chinese culture often cautions against being the conspicuous one.

Stroke Order

出 chū

头 tóu

鸟 niǎo

Related Words

出头 chūtóu HSK 7-9 #8,651

to take the initiative / to stick out / to come forward

出风头 chū fēngtou #15,379

to seek the limelight / to show off / to seek fame

出局 chūjú HSK 7-9 #2,394

to be eliminated; to be out / to be knocked out (of a competition)

出 chū HSK 2 #105

to go out / to come out / to produce / to appear / measure word for plays and operas

出海 chūhǎi #8,973

to go out to sea; to put out to sea / to go overseas (for business expansion)

抽出 chōuchū #8,273

to draw out; to pull out / to find (time); to set aside

出门 chūmén HSK 2 #3,314

to go out / to leave home

出狱 chūyù #5,424

to be released from prison / to get out of jail

彻头彻尾 chètóu-chèwěi #9,186

through and through / from beginning to end / out-and-out; thoroughly

伸出 shēnchū #6,744

to stretch out / to extend / to reach out