Definition

1. Verb:
   • To kowtow, to prostrate oneself: "Khấu đầu" is a verb describing the action of kneeling and touching one's forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect, submission, or worship. It is a formal and often ritualistic gesture.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Trước bàn thờ tổ tiên, anh ấy thành kính khấu đầu. (Before the ancestral altar, he respectfully kowtowed.)
  • Trong nghi lễ cổ, các quan phải khấu đầu trước mặt vua. (In ancient ceremonies, mandarins had to kowtow before the king.)

Advanced Usage

• "Khấu đầu lạy tạ": to kowtow in gratitude or apology.
  • Sau khi được tha tội, tên tù khấu đầu lạy tạ. (After being pardoned, the prisoner kowtowed in gratitude.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lạy (verb): to bow deeply with hands joined; a general term for a respectful bow, often less formal than "khấu đầu".
• Bái lạy (verb): to worship by bowing/prostrating.
• Cúi đầu (verb): to bow one's head; a more common and less extreme gesture of respect or greeting.

Synonyms

• Quỳ lạy (verb): to kneel and bow/prostrate.
• Phủ phục (verb): to prostrate oneself.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Khấu đầu tạ tội: to kowtow to beg for forgiveness.
  • Hắn khấu đầu tạ tội vì những lỗi lầm của mình. (He kowtowed to beg for forgiveness for his mistakes.)

Related Idioms

• Khấu đầu van xin: to kowtow while pleading desperately.
  • Kẻ cầu xin khấu đầu van xin trước cửa quan. (The beggar kowtowed and pleaded desperately before the mandarin's gate.)
• Năm lạy ba khấu: (idiomatic) performing multiple bows and kowtows; indicating extreme reverence or a complex ritual of respect.
  • Theo tục lệ, con cháu phải năm lạy ba khấu trước bàn thờ. (According to custom, descendants must perform multiple bows and kowtows before the altar.)

verb

1. to knowtow