Definition
跪拜 is a traditional Chinese gesture of deep respect involving kneeling and bowing the head to the ground. Historically used when worshipping deities at temples, paying respects to ancestors, or showing deference to the emperor. In modern contexts, it still appears in religious rituals (such as Buddhist or Taoist worship) and at family ancestral shrines, though everyday use is rare. The word carries strong cultural and ritual overtones — it is more formal and physically demonstrative than just 'bowing' (鞠躬).
v.
to kneel and bow in worshipto kowtow (a gesture of deep reverence)
Examples
- ，跪拜。Měinián Chūnjié, tāmen dōu huì qù miào lǐ guì bài shàngxiāng.Every Spring Festival, they go to the temple to kowtow and offer incense.
- 跪拜。Gǔdài chénzǐ jiàndào huángdì bìxū 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 xìntú zài fóxiàng qián qiánchéng de guì bài.This devotee devoutly knelt and prostrated before the Buddha statue.
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