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磕头

to kowtow

Character Composition

Characters

Pinyin

ke1tou2 • kētóu

Meaning

Primary

to kowtow

Alternatives

kowtow, kowtowed, kowtows

Mnemonic

磕头 To kowtow is to bow so deep that you 磕 knock your 头 head lightly against the floor.

Usage

臣子 向 皇帝 磕头 表示 忠诚。

The minister kowtowed to the emperor to show loyalty.

他们 在 国王 面前 磕头。

They kowtowed before the king.

他 因为 犯错 而 磕头 道歉。

He kowtowed to apologize for his mistake.