bow at the waist; stoop to serve others
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to bow at the waist (as a greeting or ritual)
archaicOriginally referred to the ancient ritual of bending at the waist to show respect. Now mostly appears in literary or historical contexts.
Gǔ古
dài代
shì士
rén人
xiāng相
jiàn见
，
cháng常
cháng常
zhé折
yāo腰
xíng行
lǐ礼
。
In ancient times, scholars would often bow at the waist when meeting.
Tā他
xiàng向
zhǎng长
bèi辈
zhé折
yāo腰
，
biǎo表
shì示
zūn尊
jìng敬
。
He bowed to his elders to show respect.
verb
to stoop to serve others; to compromise one's principles for personal gain
literaryFigurative extension meaning to abandon one's dignity or principles to serve powerful people or gain benefits. Often used in the phrase '为五斗米折腰' (not to bow for five bushels of rice).
Táo陶
Yuān渊
míng明
bù不
wéi为
wǔ五
dǒu斗
mǐ米
zhé折
yāo腰
，
cí辞
guān官
guī归
yǐn隐
。
Tao Yuanming refused to stoop for five bushels of rice and resigned to live in seclusion.
Tā他
nìng宁
kě可
è饿
sǐ死
，
yě也
bù不
kěn肯
xiàng向
quán权
guì贵
zhé折
yāo腰
。
He would rather starve than bow to the powerful.
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Wèi为
le了
bǎo保
zhù住
gōng工
zuò作
，
tā他
bù不
dé得
bù不
xiàng向
lǎo老
bǎn板
zhé折
yāo腰
。
To keep his job, he had no choice but to humble himself before his boss.