take the lead; initiate
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to take the lead; to be the first to do something; to initiate
Often used in contexts where someone needs to be the first to speak up or take action, especially when there is some reluctance or risk involved. In colloquial speech, the suffix 儿 is often added (挑头儿), and the second syllable is pronounced with a neutral tone (tóu → tou).
Tā他
tiǎo挑
tóu头
r儿
xiàng向
lǐng领
dǎo导
tí提
yì意
jiàn见
。
He took the lead in offering criticism to the leadership.
Shéi谁
chū出
lái来
tiǎo挑
gè个
tóu头
，
shì事
qing情
jiù就
hǎo好
bàn办
le了
。
If someone steps up to take the lead, the matter will be easily settled.
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Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
méi没
rén人
yuàn愿
yì意
tiǎo挑
tóu头
，
dōu都
pà怕
dé得
zuì罪
rén人
。
No one is willing to take the lead on this matter, as everyone fears offending others.
Tā他
zài在
huán环
bǎo保
yùn运
dòng动
zhōng中
zǒng总
shì是
tiǎo挑
tóu头
zǔ组
zhī织
huó活
dòng动
。
He always takes the lead in organizing activities during environmental campaigns.