to bow with hands folded; to make a salute
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to bow with hands folded (a traditional Chinese salute)
dialectIn historical context and classical literature, it involved both the physical bow with hands clasped and a verbal greeting or respectful utterance. In modern dialectal usage, it can simply refer to the act of bowing respectfully.
Tā他
jiàn见
le了
wǒ我
，
lián连
máng忙
chàng唱
rě喏
。
When he saw me, he promptly bowed with hands folded.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
xiǎo小
shuō说
lǐ里
，
pú仆
rén人
jiàn见
dào到
zhǔ主
rén人
yào要
chàng唱
rě喏
。
In ancient novels, servants had to bow and greet their masters respectfully.
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Zhè这
wèi位
lǎo老
xiān先
sheng生
hái还
bǎo保
liú留
zhe着
jiù旧
lǐ礼
，
jiàn见
le了
kè客
rén人
xǐ喜
huān欢
chàng唱
rě喏
。
This old gentleman still preserves old customs; he likes to bow respectfully when meeting guests.