Learn a Chinese Character - 首 (Shǒu) - Head/First

1. 基本特征 (Character Basics)

部首: 首（首部） (radical: 首 (head))

笔画数: 9 (9 strokes)

结构分解: 象形字，像人的头部形状，本义指头（如"昂首"），后引申为第一（如"首要"）、首领（如"元首"） (pictogram resembling a human head, originally meaning head (e.g., "hold one's head high"), later extended to first (e.g., "primary"), leader (e.g., "head of state"))

笔顺:

2. 发音 (Pronunciation)

拼音: Shǒu (third tone)

3. 含义 (Meaning)

首作名词时指头（如"首脑"）、第一（如"首位"）、首领（如"首长"）；作量词时用于诗歌、歌曲等（如"一首诗"） (Noun: head (e.g., "head of an organization"); first (e.g., "first place"); leader (e.g., "chief"); Measure word: for poems, songs (e.g., "a poem"))

4. 常用词汇 (Common Words)

• 首先 (shǒu xiān) - first of all
• 首领 (shǒu lǐng) - leader
• 首都 (shǒu dū) - capital
• 一首诗 (yī shǒu shī) - a poem

5. 语法与用法 (Grammar & Usage)

作名词时可受形容词修饰（如"重要的首领"）；作量词时与数词连用（如"两首歌"） (Noun: modified by adjectives (e.g., "important leader"); Measure word: used with numerals (e.g., "two songs"))

6. 文化背景 (Cultural Background)

《诗经》中"首阳"山名体现其文化渊源；成语"首屈一指"表示居首位；传统礼仪中"稽首"是最恭敬的拜礼；现代"首"广泛用于表示领先地位（如"首创"） (In The Book of Songs, "首阳" is a mountain name, showing its cultural origin. The idiom "首屈一指" means to be the first. In traditional etiquette, "稽首" is the most respectful salute. In modern times, "首" is widely used to indicate a leading position (e.g., "pioneer"))

7. 例句 (Example Sentence)

8. 记忆技巧 (Memory Tips)

"首"的字形像人的头部，想象一个人的头部形状，就能轻松记住它的本义和读音。通过联想"头"与"第一"的关系，也能记住其引申义 (The character "首" resembles a human head. Imagining a human head can help you easily remember its original meaning and pronunciation. Associating "head" with "first" can also help you remember its extended meanings.)