Definition
磕头 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to kowtow' — the traditional Chinese gesture of kneeling and touching one's forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect, submission, or supplication. It's used in religious worship (bowing before Buddha or ancestors), formal apologies, and traditional ceremonies like weddings. The verb splits: the object or measure word goes between 磕 and 头, e.g., 磕了三个头 ('kowtowed three times'). You do NOT put a person directly after 磕头 — say 给长辈磕头 ('kowtow to elders').
v.o.
to kowtow (kneel and touch forehead to ground as a sign of respect, worship, or apology)
Examples
- 。Tā zài fóxiàng qián kē le sān ge tóu.He kowtowed three times before the Buddha statue.
- 磕头。Gǔdài chénzǐ jiàn dào huángdì yào kē tóu.In ancient times, officials had to kowtow when they saw the emperor.
- ，磕头。Hūnlǐ shàng, xīnrén yào gěi fùmǔ kē tóu.At the wedding, the newlyweds kowtow to their parents.
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