shàngtóu: 上头 - To Get Carried Away, To Get Dizzy, To Go to One's Head

• Keywords: shangtou meaning, 上头, Chinese slang shangtou, to get carried away in Chinese, head rush Chinese, what does shang tou mean, addicted to something Chinese, obsessed in Chinese, Chinese internet slang, 下头 xiatou
• Summary: “上头” (shàngtóu) is a versatile and popular Chinese term that has evolved from its literal meaning of a “head rush” from alcohol to a widely used internet slang for getting intensely carried away, infatuated, or obsessed with something or someone. Whether you're describing a cheap wine that makes you dizzy, a TV show you can't stop binging, or a sudden, intense crush, “上头” perfectly captures that intoxicating feeling of something “going to your head.”

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shàngtóu
• Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: For something to go to one's head, causing either dizziness (literal) or a rush of obsession and infatuation (figurative).
• In a Nutshell: Imagine taking a sip of strong liquor and feeling an immediate rush and dizziness. That's the original meaning of 上头. Now, apply that same feeling to an emotion. That's the modern, slang meaning. It’s the thrilling, sometimes irrational, rush you get when you become completely hooked on a new TV series, a video game, or even a person. It's less about a long-term addiction and more about a sudden, all-consuming, and often temporary, obsession.

• 上 (shàng): Means “up,” “on top,” or “to go up.” It signifies upward movement.
• 头 (tóu): Means “head.”

When combined, 上头 (shàngtóu) literally translates to “up to the head.” This perfectly describes the physical sensation of alcohol or fumes rushing to your head, making you feel dizzy or light-headed. Metaphorically, this was extended to describe emotions, ideas, or passions rushing to one's head, causing a loss of rational judgment and a feeling of being completely swept up in the moment.

上头 is a fantastic example of how language evolves in the digital age. While its literal meaning concerning alcohol has existed for a long time, its explosion as an internet slang term among younger Chinese generations is a recent phenomenon. It captures a very specific modern feeling: the intense, binge-worthy obsession that defines much of our media consumption and even our romantic interests. In Western culture, you might say you're “hooked on,” “obsessed with,” or “super into” something. 上头 is similar, but carries a stronger connotation of intoxication and impulsiveness. It implies that the feeling is so strong it's clouding your judgment, just like alcohol would. The rise of its slang antonym, 下头 (xiàtóu), which means a “turn-off” or “buzzkill,” further cements its place in modern Chinese culture. The pair perfectly describes the quick cycle of intense interest followed by sudden disinterest that is common in online trends and dating.

上头 is primarily used in informal, colloquial conversations, especially on social media, in text messages, and among friends. 1. Literal Meaning: Getting Dizzy from Alcohol This is the original, more traditional usage. It often describes liquor that is considered harsh or low-quality because it makes you feel drunk or dizzy very quickly.

• Connotation: Negative.
• Example: “这酒很上头” (Zhè jiǔ hěn shàngtóu) - “This liquor really goes to your head.”

2. Slang Meaning: Getting Obsessed or Carried Away This is the most common usage today. It can be applied to almost anything that causes an intense, emotional rush.

• Connotation: Can be neutral, positive (enjoying a hobby), or slightly negative (losing control).
• For Media (TV, Games, Music): Describing a piece of media that is incredibly addictive.
• For People (Crushes): Describing a sudden and intense infatuation with someone.
• For Emotions (Anger, Excitement): Describing a moment where an emotion takes over, leading to impulsive actions. For example, getting “heated” in an argument.

• Example 1:
  • 这个电视剧太上头了，我一口气看了十集！
  • Pinyin: Zhège diànshìjù tài shàngtóu le, wǒ yīkǒuqì kànle shí jí!
  • English: This TV drama is so addictive, I watched ten episodes in one go!
  • Analysis: This is the most common slang usage, expressing that the show is incredibly engrossing. “一口气” (yīkǒuqì - in one breath) reinforces the idea of binging.
• Example 2:
  • 别喝这种白酒，后劲大，特别上头。
  • Pinyin: Bié hē zhè zhǒng báijiǔ, hòujìn dà, tèbié shàngtóu.
  • English: Don't drink this type of baijiu; it has a strong kick and really goes to your head.
  • Analysis: This uses the literal meaning of 上头, referring to the physical effect of strong alcohol.
• Example 3:
  • 我最近对他有点上头，他笑起来太好看了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuìjìn duì tā yǒudiǎn shàngtóu, tā xiào qǐlái tài hǎokàn le.
  • English: I've been getting a little infatuated with him lately; his smile is just too charming.
  • Analysis: Here, 上头 describes a powerful, almost dizzying crush on someone. “有点” (yǒudiǎn) slightly softens it, meaning “a little bit.”
• Example 4:
  • 昨天我俩吵架，说着说着我就上头了，说了一些不该说的话。
  • Pinyin: Zuótiān wǒ liǎ chǎojià, shuōzhe shuōzhe wǒ jiù shàngtóu le, shuōle yīxiē bù gāi shuō de huà.
  • English: We were arguing yesterday, and as we talked, I got heated and said some things I shouldn't have.
  • Analysis: This shows 上头 used for an emotion like anger. It means getting carried away, losing your cool, and acting impulsively.
• Example 5:
  • 这款手机游戏真的很容易让人上头。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn shǒujī yóuxì zhēn de hěn róngyì ràng rén shàngtóu.
  • English: This mobile game really makes it easy for people to get hooked.
  • Analysis: A neutral description of a game's addictive quality. “让(ràng)人(rén)上头” is a common structure, meaning “makes people get hooked.”
• Example 6:
  • 购物节的时候千万要冷静，不要因为打折就上头乱买。
  • Pinyin: Gòuwù jié de shíhòu qiānwàn yào lěngjìng, bùyào yīnwèi dǎzhé jiù shàngtóu luàn mǎi.
  • English: You must stay calm during the shopping festival; don't get carried away and buy random things just because of the discounts.
  • Analysis: This highlights the impulsive nature of 上头, linking it to actions like impulse buying.
• Example 7:
  • 听完这首歌，我现在满脑子都是它的旋律，太上头了！
  • Pinyin: Tīng wán zhè shǒu gē, wǒ xiànzài mǎn nǎozi dōu shì tā de xuánlǜ, tài shàngtóu le!
  • English: After listening to this song, its melody is stuck in my head, it's so catchy!
  • Analysis: Here, 上头 is used to mean “catchy” or “addictive” in the context of music, similar to an “earworm.”
• Example 8:
  • 你是不是对那个新来的同事上头了？天天看你往她那边跑。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì bùshì duì nàge xīn lái de tóngshì shàngtóu le? Tiāntiān kàn nǐ wǎng tā nà biān pǎo.
  • English: Have you gotten a crush on that new colleague? I see you running over to her desk every day.
  • Analysis: A teasing, conversational question using 上头 to ask about a potential crush. The “是不是” (shì bùshì) structure makes it a yes/no question.
• Example 9:
  • 一开始我觉得这个爱好很上头，但现在感觉没那么有意思了。
  • Pinyin: Yī kāishǐ wǒ juédé zhège àihào hěn shàngtóu, dàn xiànzài gǎnjué méi nàme yǒuyìsi le.
  • English: At first I thought this hobby was really captivating, but now I don't feel it's that interesting anymore.
  • Analysis: This example shows the often temporary nature of the 上头 feeling. The passion was intense but faded.
• Example 10:
  • A: 你怎么突然不追那个剧了？ (Nǐ zěnme túrán bù zhuī nàge jù le?) - Why did you suddenly stop following that drama?
  • B: 别提了，男主角的一个行为太下头了，我瞬间就没兴趣了。 (Biétíle, nán zhǔjiǎo de yīgè xíngwéi tài xiàtóu le, wǒ shùnjiān jiù méi xìngqù le.) - Don't mention it, one of the male lead's actions was such a turn-off, I instantly lost interest.
  • Analysis: This example uses the antonym, 下头 (xiàtóu), to show the opposite effect. An initial 上头 feeling was instantly killed, resulting in a “buzzkill” or “turn-off.”

• Formality Mismatch: The biggest mistake is using the slang meaning of 上头 in a formal setting, like a business meeting or an academic paper. It's strictly colloquial. For formal situations, use words like 着迷 (zháomí) or 热爱 (rè'ài).
• Confusing with “Addiction” (上瘾): This is a key nuance. 上头 is not the same as a serious addiction.
  • 上头 (shàngtóu) is an intense, often sudden rush of infatuation or obsession. It can be temporary. “我玩游戏上头了，昨晚玩到三点。” (I got super into the game and played until 3 AM last night.) - This describes a specific event.
  • 上瘾 (shàngyǐn) describes a more serious, chronic state of addiction that is often problematic. “他玩游戏上瘾了，已经影响了学习。” (He is addicted to playing games; it has already affected his studies.) - This describes an ongoing, negative condition.

• 下头 (xiàtóu) - The direct slang antonym. It means “turn-off” or “buzzkill”; something that instantly kills your interest or good mood.
• 上瘾 (shàngyǐn) - To be addicted to something. More serious and long-term than 上头.
• 着迷 (zháomí) - To be fascinated, captivated, or enchanted. A close synonym for the slang meaning of 上头, but less intense and without the connotation of “losing one's head.”
• 入迷 (rùmí) - To be engrossed or absorbed in something. Very similar to 着迷.
• 冲动 (chōngdòng) - Impulse; impulsive. This describes the state of mind when one is 上头 and acts without thinking.
• 磕CP (kē CP) - A popular slang term meaning to “ship” a couple (CP stands for “Couple Pairing”) in a movie, book, or in real life. People who 磕CP often get very 上头 about their favorite pair.
• 晕船 (yūnchuán) - Literally “to get seasick.” In modern slang, it means catching romantic feelings for a casual or non-serious partner, a feeling very similar to 上头 in a romantic context.