Definition

1. Verb:
   • To bow, to bend, to submit oneself (often under pressure or force): "khuất thân" describes the act of physically or metaphorically lowering oneself, submitting, or humbling oneself, typically in the face of superior power, authority, or oppressive circumstances. It implies a loss of dignity or personal integrity due to coercion.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy không bao giờ chịu khuất thân trước kẻ xấu. (He never bows to evil people.)
  • Lịch sử ghi nhận nhiều vị anh hùng dân tộc không chịu khuất thân trước ngoại xâm. (History records many national heroes who refused to submit to foreign invaders.)
  • Trong hoàn cảnh đó, cô ấy buộc phải khuất thân để bảo vệ gia đình. (In that situation, she was forced to submit to protect her family.)

Advanced Usage

• "Không chịu khuất thân": to refuse to bow/submit; to stand firm.
  • Tinh thần không chịu khuất thân là một phẩm chất đáng quý. (The spirit of refusing to submit is a precious quality.)
• "Phải khuất thân": to have to bow/submit (often reluctantly).
  • Vì miếng cơm manh áo, đôi khi người ta phải khuất thân. (For food and clothing, people sometimes have to humble themselves.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khuất phục (verb): to subdue, to subjugate. This word focuses more on the act of overpowering someone else or being overpowered.
  • Kẻ thù không thể khuất phục tinh thần của dân tộc ta. (The enemy could not subdue the spirit of our people.)
• Cúi đầu (verb): to bow one's head. This is a more literal/physical action but can be used in similar metaphorical contexts.
  • Anh ta cúi đầu chào. (He bowed his head in greeting.)

Synonyms

• Quỳ gối: to kneel (emphasizes a physical act of submission).
• Chịu lụy: to endure subjugation/to be under someone's thumb.
• Hạ mình: to lower oneself/to humble oneself (can be voluntary or involuntary).

Notes on Meaning

• Connotation: "Khuất thân" carries a strong negative connotation. It is not a neutral term for politeness (like bowing in greeting). It implies being forced into a demeaning position, compromising one's principles or honor.
• Typical Context: It is most commonly used in contexts involving resistance or surrender to tyrannical power (cường quyền), injustice (bất công), or oppressive forces (thế lực áp bức). The phrase "không chịu khuất thân" (to refuse to submit) is a very common and powerful collocation, praising someone's unyielding spirit.

1. Bow tọ
   • Không chịu khuất thân trước cường quyền
     To refuse to bow to tyrannical power