(bài) - To worship & to pay respects

Tone 4

bài | 9 strokes | radical: 手

· bài

To worship;

to pay respects;

to visit;

to acknowledge someone as master or teacher;

used to indicate polite actions.

To worshipto pay respectsto visit

Usage highlights

To worshipTo pay a visitTo acknowledge as teacherTo kowtowTo congratulateTo bid farewell

Synonyms

  • to kneel
  • to salute; ceremony
  • to respect

Antonyms

  • to scold
  • to insult

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We bow to show respect (拜拜).
  • He went to visit his teacher (拜师).
  • They worship at the temple (拜佛).
  • I'll go pay my respects at the ceremony (拜祭).

Collocations

  • To worship(拜神)
  • To pay a visit(拜访)
  • To acknowledge as teacher(拜师)
  • To kowtow(跪拜)
  • To congratulate(拜贺)
  • To bid farewell(拜别)

Idioms

  • To worship heaven and earth(拜天地)
  • To bow in worship(顶礼膜拜)
  • Eight bows of courtesy(八拜之交)
  • To worship the wind and pray for rain(拜风求雨)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character depicts two hands clasped together in a gesture of respect or worship.
  • In traditional Chinese culture, bowing (拜) is an important ritual showing respect to elders, teachers, and deities.
  • The character is used in various ceremonial contexts including weddings, funerals, and religious observances.

FAQ