áo

鳌头

Word · NounTraditional鼇

giant mythological turtle; the first place

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 4 examples
1.

noun

a legendary giant sea turtle or turtle-like mythical beast

literary

A creature from Chinese mythology, often depicted as carrying mountains on its back. Forms part of the idiom '独占鳌头'.

Chuán传
shuō说
dà大
hǎi海
zhōng中
yǒu有
jù巨
áo鳌
bēi背
fù负
zhe着
xiān仙
shān山
 。

Legend says there is a giant sea turtle carrying immortal mountains in the ocean.

2.

noun

the head of the 'ao' turtle carved on palace steps; the first place

literary

Specifically refers to the carved decoration on the steps of the imperial palace during the imperial examinations. The top scholar ('状元') would stand on it. This is the source of the idiom '独占鳌头'.

Zhè这
wèi位
kē科
xué学
jiā家
zài在
qí其
yán研
jiū究
lǐng领
yù域
kān堪
chēng称
dú独
zhàn占
áo鳌
tóu头
 。

This scientist is truly number one in his field of research.

Zài在
kē科
jǔ举
shí时
dài代
 ，
kǎo考
zhòng中
zhuàng状
yuán元
bèi被
chēng称
wéi为
dú独
zhàn占
áo鳌
tóu头
 。

In the imperial examination era, coming first in the palace exam was called 'standing alone on the Ao's head'.

Show 1 more example
Wǒ我
men们
de的
chǎn产
pǐn品
zài在
shì市
chǎng场
shàng上
dú独
zhàn占
áo鳌
tóu头
 。

Our product holds the top position in the market.