跪 (guì) - to kneel & to go down on one's knees

跪Tone 4

guì ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

跪 · guì

to kneel;

to go down on one's knees;

to kowtow (a formal act of deep respect shown by kneeling and bowing so low as to touch the head to the ground).

to kneelto go down on one's kneesto kowtow (a formal act of deep respect

Usage highlights

to kneel downto kneel and kowtowkneeling postureto kneel and begkneeling statueto kneel on the ground

Synonyms

  • 跪拜— to kneel and bow (a more formal, ritualistic term)

Antonyms

  • 站— to stand
  • 立— to stand (formal/literary)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He knelt down to propose (跪下求婚).
  • In ancient times, people knelt before the emperor (向皇帝下跪).
  • The ceremony requires kowtowing three times (三跪九叩).
  • She knelt to tie her shoelaces (跪着系鞋带).

Collocations

  • to kneel down(跪下)
  • to kneel and kowtow(跪拜)
  • kneeling posture(跪姿)
  • to kneel and beg(跪求)
  • kneeling statue(跪像)
  • to kneel on the ground(跪地)

Idioms

  • To kneel and lick boots(跪舔)
  • To kneel by the coffin in mourning(跪灵)
  • To kneel and receive orders(跪受)
  • To kneel and shoot (an archery term)(跪射)
  • The kneeling servant figurine(跪俑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Kneeling (跪) was a fundamental part of traditional Chinese etiquette, especially in formal, religious, or imperial contexts.
  • The act of kneeling and bowing (跪拜) was a key ritual in ancestor worship and showing deference to superiors.
  • In modern times, the act carries a strong connotation of extreme submission, supplication, or deep apology.
  • The character itself is pictographic, combining the radical for 'foot' (足) with the component for 'danger' (危), suggesting a precarious or submissive posture.

FAQ