Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Chinese term or phrase:
降头
English translation:
Gong Tau or "Tame Head (magic)"
Added to glossary by
Gary Key
Jan 15, 2006 13:00
18 yrs ago
6 viewers *
Chinese term
Not a translator
Native in: Chinese 
Works in: English to Chinese, Russian to Chinese, Chinese to English, and 9 more.
降头
Chinese to English
Art/Literary
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
下降头
I think it's some kind of black magic practised in South East Asia. Is there a more specific name for this? Thanks.
I think it's some kind of black magic practised in South East Asia. Is there a more specific name for this? Thanks.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +2 | Gong Tau or "Tame Head (magic)" |
Gary Key
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| 5 +1 | Cast a (evil) spell on someone |
albertdeng
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| 4 +1 | Why not just "curse" or "spell" |
billychang
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Proposed translations
+2
8 mins
Chinese term (edited):
��ͷ
Selected
Gong Tau or "Tame Head (magic)"
I found lots of references to Gong Tau, the Cantonese version of the name or "Tame Head (Magic)".
Many references to a Cantonese film of the same name:
降头 外文名：Gong tau（Black Magic）（Tame Head）（Xiang tou） 国家：中国香港出品
年代：1975 导演：何梦华演员：罗烈、狄龙、谷峰、李丽丽、恬妮片长：91分钟花絮：收录
包括《降头》在内的5部邵氏影片的预告片。图片库、原装海报、电影简介、演员 ...
www.only4movie.com/html/dvd0001738.htm
Many references to a Cantonese film of the same name:
降头 外文名：Gong tau（Black Magic）（Tame Head）（Xiang tou） 国家：中国香港出品
年代：1975 导演：何梦华演员：罗烈、狄龙、谷峰、李丽丽、恬妮片长：91分钟花絮：收录
包括《降头》在内的5部邵氏影片的预告片。图片库、原装海报、电影简介、演员 ...
www.only4movie.com/html/dvd0001738.htm
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Xiaoping Fu
9 hrs
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Thank you!
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| agree |
Denyce Seow
: My family uses the term "Gong Tau" so I thought it was Hokkein. Didn't know it is Cantonese. "Black magic" might be the term Sara needs.
20 hrs
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Thanks, yes, I think "black magic" would do unless a specific term is needed
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3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+1
11 hrs
billychang
Native in Chinese
&
English
Translate tradition & simplified Chinese
Native in: English , Chinese
Works in: Chinese to English, English to Chinese
Related KudoZ points
:
20
Chinese term (edited):
��ͷ
Why not just "curse" or "spell"
..
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Denyce Seow
: "Curse" and "spell" work too, but I think "black magic" might be more suitable. "Jiang tou" is a reeeeeeeeeeeeally scary thing. We hear about that a lot in Singapore. Indeed common in countries like Thailand, Malaysia and other SEA countries.
8 hrs
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Thanks. I remember something like don't let them get hold of your hairIisn't it hair raising?) Just like voodoo from the Caribbean.
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+1
14 hrs
albertdeng
New Zealand
New Zealand
Native in Chinese
Specializes in field
New Zealand
Highest, strongest, best
Native in: Chinese 
Works in: English to Chinese, Chinese to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Cast a (evil) spell on someone
下降头is common in South East Asia. However, it is up to you to believe in its power not.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
tb1668
: Does it still happening these days in Mainland China? Suspect a friend's husband is sufferings from this Gong Tau cursed by the china whore!! Her friend's husband worked in Singapore n recently, she found out that he always traveling to Shenzhen so often
2222 days
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To tell you the truth, few people in Mainland China know what Gong Tau is. I have never heard of such a spell being cast in China. What happens to your friend, even if it is true, is quite common in China today. Cheap and faraway ...
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