What does 顶 mean in Chinese?

顶 (dǐng) means "apex; crown of the head; top; roof; most; to carry on the head; to push to the top; to go against; to replace; to substitute; to be subjected to (an aerial bombing, hailstorm etc); (slang) to "bump" a forum thread to raise its profile; classifier for headwear, hats, veils etc" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 6.

How do you pronounce 顶?

顶 is pronounced "dǐng" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 顶?

顶 is an HSK 6 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 6 on the new one.

What words contain the character 顶?

Common words with 顶 include 伪顶 (false roof), 圆顶 (dome), 天顶 (zenith), 封顶 (to put a roof (on a building)), 尖顶 (pointed object).

How do you write 顶?

You can practice writing 顶 using our stroke order tool.

顶 (dǐng), apex

顶

dǐng

apex; crown of the head; top; roof

HSK 6 Was HSK 5verbclassifier

Traditional: 頂

Character Breakdown

Radical: 頁 (no. 181)Traditional: 頂

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb, classifier) apex
crown of the head
top
roof
most
to carry on the head
to push to the top
to go against
to replace
to substitute
to be subjected to (an aerial bombing, hailstorm etc)
(slang) to "bump" a forum thread to raise its profile
classifier for headwear, hats, veils etc

Example Sentences

我们登上了山顶。

Wǒmen dēngshàng le shāndǐng

We climbed to the top of the mountain

Words Containing 顶

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
伪顶	wěi dǐng	false roof
圆顶	yuán dǐng	dome
天顶	tiān dǐng	zenith
封顶	fēng dǐng	to put a roof (on a building)	HSK 7-9
尖顶	jiān dǐng	pointed object

→

仰头(yǎng tóu)· to raise one's head

→

顶部(dǐng bù)· roof

→

一个头两个大(yī ge tóu liǎng ge dà)· (coll.) to feel as though one's head could explode (Tw)

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 6
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 4 list

顶: HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 6 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 6 exam

Studying for HSK 6? Keep 顶 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 6 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

顶