bái
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To bow; to salute: To show respect or reverence by bending the body forward, often with hands joined, typically in a religious, ceremonial, or formal context.
- To kotow; to prostrate oneself: To perform a deep bow or full prostration, touching the forehead to the ground, as an act of deep respect or worship.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Con cháu bái lạy tổ tiên vào ngày giỗ. (Descendants bow and pay respects to their ancestors on the death anniversary.)
- Các Phật tử thành kính bái trước tượng Phật. (Buddhists devoutly bow before the Buddha statue.)
- Trong lễ cưới, cô dâu chú rể bái gia tiên. (During the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom bow to the family ancestors.)
Advanced Usage
"bái phục": To admire or hold in high esteem (often due to talent or virtue). This is a compound word where "bái" contributes the sense of showing deep respect.
- Mọi người đều bái phục tài năng của ông ấy. (Everyone admires his talent.)
"bái kiến": To pay a formal visit or have an audience with someone respected. This is a compound word.
- Sứ giả đến bái kiến nhà vua. (The envoy came to have an audience with the king.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lạy (verb): To prostrate; to kowtow. Often used interchangeably with "bái" but can imply a deeper, more ritualistic prostration.
- Vái (verb): To pray with a bow; to make a supplication with a bow. Often used in folk religious contexts.
- Cúi chào (verb phrase): To bow in greeting. A more general, secular term.
Synonyms
- Cúi đầu: To bow one's head.
- Thờ phụng: To worship, to venerate (broader in scope).
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
- Bái tạ: To bow in thanks or farewell. This is a compound phrase.
- Ông ấy bái tạ thầy giáo cũ. (He bowed in gratitude to his old teacher.)
Related Idioms
- Bái sư học đạo: Literally "to bow to a master and learn the way"; meaning to formally become a student or disciple.
- Muốn giỏi võ thuật, trước tiên phải bái sư học đạo. (To master martial arts, one must first bow to a master and learn.)
- Bái xã tôi giao: An idiom describing a superficial or insincere bow, often used critically.