跪拜 (guì bài) — to kneel and bow in worship; to kowtow (a gesture of deep reverence)

Definition

A formal, often ritual verb meaning to kneel and bow — used in religious worship, imperial court, or other solemn ceremonies. Stronger and more ceremonial than everyday verbs like 鞠躬.

verb
to kneel and bow in worshipto kowtow (a gesture of deep reverence)

Examples

  • ，跪拜。
    Měi nián chūn jié, tā men dōu huì qù miào lǐ guì bài shàng xiāng.
    Every Spring Festival, they go to the temple to kowtow and offer incense.
  • 跪拜。
    Gǔ dài chén zǐ jiàn dào huáng dì bì xū xíng sān guì bài zhī lǐ.
    In ancient times, officials had to perform the ritual of three kneelings and bows when meeting the emperor.
  • 跪拜。
    Zhè wèi xìn tú zài fó xiàng qián qián chéng de guì bài.
    This devotee devoutly knelt and prostrated before the Buddha statue.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

跪guìkneel
拜bàibow in worship

The action combines 跪, kneeling, and 拜, bowing in worship.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
足足zúfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
危
危wēi跪guì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

跪 pairs 足 (foot) with 危, whose shape can be seen as a person kneeling on the ground.

Open 跪 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

拜 combines 扌 (hand, written fully as 手) with 𠦪 (herbs), showing a hand holding herbs as a gift.

Open 拜 →

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