cúi lạy
Definition
- Verb:
- To bow deeply in respect or worship: A traditional gesture of profound respect, submission, or veneration, often performed by kneeling and touching one's forehead to the ground or hands.
- To prostrate oneself: To throw oneself flat on the ground in a gesture of extreme humility, reverence, or supplication, typically before a deity, altar, elder, or superior.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Con cháu cúi lạy ông bà trong ngày giỗ. (The grandchildren bow deeply to their ancestors on the death anniversary.)
- Người tín đồ thành kính cúi lạy trước tượng Phật. (The devout worshipper prostrates himself before the Buddha statue.)
Advanced Usage
- The act of "cúi lạy" is a core component of formal Vietnamese rituals, expressing the highest levels of respect, gratitude, or apology. It is commonly seen in ancestral worship, religious ceremonies, and traditional greetings during Tet (Lunar New Year).
Variants and Related Words
Lạy (v): to bow with hands joined; a slightly less profound gesture than "cúi lạy," often performed while standing or sitting.
- Cô ấy lạy tạ ơn cứu mạng. (She bows to give thanks for the lifesaving help.)
Cúi đầu (v): to bow one's head; a general term for bowing, which can indicate greeting, acknowledgment, or shame, but does not imply the full prostration of "cúi lạy."
- Anh ấy cúi đầu chào. (He bows his head in greeting.)
Synonyms
- Prostrate: to lie flat on the ground face downward, especially in reverence or submission.
- Kowtow: to kneel and touch the ground with the forehead in worship or submission (a term of Chinese origin, often used in a historical or figurative sense).
Related Idioms
- Lạy ông tôi ở bụi này: A humorous or sarcastic exclamation meaning "Heaven help me!" or "I give up!", used when faced with a frustrating or hopeless situation. It literally references bowing to an imagined spirit in a bush.
- Bài toán khó quá, lạy ông tôi ở bụi này! (This math problem is too hard, heaven help me!)