僂 (lóu) - Hunchbacked & stooped

僂Tone 2

lóu ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

林伦

僂 · lóu

Hunchbacked;

stooped;

bent;

to bow;

to bend;

also used to describe servility or obsequiousness.

Hunchbackedstoopedbent

Usage highlights

HunchbackedBent at the waistServile flatteryCurved spineStooped postureTo bow respectfully

Synonyms

  • 弯— bent, curved
  • 曲— bent, crooked
  • 躬— to bow, bend forward

Antonyms

  • 直— straight, upright
  • 挺— erect, straight

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The old man walked with a stoop (佝偻着背).
  • He bowed respectfully to his teacher (鞠躬尽瘁, 死而后已).
  • The tree was bent by the strong wind (树木被风吹得弯曲).
  • She has a slight curvature of the spine (脊柱有点弯曲).

Collocations

  • Hunchbacked(佝偻)
  • Bent at the waist(弯腰曲背)
  • Servile flattery(阿谀奉承)
  • Curved spine(脊柱弯曲)
  • Stooped posture(弯腰驼背)
  • To bow respectfully(鞠躬)

Idioms

  • Bent at the waist and bowing the back(弯腰曲背)
  • Servile and fawning(卑躬屈膝)
  • Humble and respectful(谦恭有礼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, proper posture was highly valued as a sign of dignity and moral character.
  • The character often carries negative connotations when describing servile behavior or physical deformity.
  • In medical contexts, it describes pathological spinal curvature or age-related stooping.

FAQ