折腰 (shé) — (literary) to bow down, to cringe (often figuratively: to submit or compromise one's dignity)

Definition

Literary verb meaning to 'bow the waist' — i.e., submit, humble oneself, or compromise one's integrity for someone or something (especially power or money). Strong, formal, almost poetic.

verb
(literary) to bow downto cringe (often figuratively: to submit or compromise one's dignity)

Beispiele

  • 折腰
    Tā bú yuàn wèi wǔ dǒu mǐ shé.
    He refused to bow down for five pecks of rice (i.e., wouldn't compromise his integrity for a small salary).
  • Zài quán shì miàn qián, tā cóng wèi zhé guò yāo.
    In the face of power, he has never bent his waist.
  • 折腰
    Wèi le shēng cún, tā bù dé bú xiàng xiàn shí shé.
    To survive, he had to bow to reality.

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