Definition
拜 is a formal verb expressing respect. It is used for bowing or paying homage (拜佛), for making ceremonial visits (拜年, 拜会), and for formally acknowledging someone as a master or mentor (拜师). It can also be used before verbs as a polite prefix (拜读, 拜见). The meaning depends heavily on the following noun or verb.
char.
to bowto pay respectsto make a formal visit (for greetings)to formally acknowledge someone as master or teacher (e.g., 拜师)
Examples
- 拜。Tā xiàng fóxiàng bài le sān cì.He bowed to the Buddha statue three times.
- ，。Chūnjié shí, wǒmen dōu qù gěi zhǎngbèi bài nián.During Spring Festival, we all go to pay New Year's visits to our elders.
- 拜。Tā zhèngshì bài nà wèi huàjiā wéi shī.He formally acknowledged that painter as his teacher.
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