English：
Kowtow is a traditional Chinese etiquette of kneeling and bowing deeply to show supreme respect to elders, ancestors, emperors or sacred figures, once widely used in ancient rituals.
中文：
磕头是中国传统礼仪，指跪地深躬以向长辈、先祖、帝王或神圣人物表达至高敬意，曾广泛应用于古代各类仪式。
The English word "kowtow" is the direct Cantonese transliteration of the Chinese action term, which entered English vocabulary during early Sino‑Western diplomatic and trade exchanges.
📌 Example 1
A: "In ancient China, people would kowtow to show respect to the emperor." B: "It was the highest form of courtesy at that time."
A："在中国古代，人们会向皇帝磕头以示尊敬。" B："那是当时最高规格的礼节。"
📌 Example 2
A: "Children used to kowtow to their elders during traditional Chinese New Year celebrations."
A："过去春节时孩子会向长辈磕头拜年。"
📌 Example 3
A: "Kowtow was an essential ritual in ancient ancestor worship ceremonies."
A："磕头是古代祭祖仪式中必不可少的环节。"
📌 Example 4
A: "Foreign envoys once refused to kowtow in ancient Chinese diplomatic activities."
A："古代外交活动中曾有外国使臣拒绝行磕头礼。"
📌 Example 5
A: "Modern Chinese society rarely uses kowtow as a daily etiquette."
A："现代中国社会很少将磕头作为日常礼仪。"
📌 Example 6
A: "Kowtow represents deep reverence and gratitude in traditional Chinese culture."
A："在中国传统文化中，磕头代表深切的崇敬与感恩。"
📌 Example 7
A: "Historical paintings often depict people performing the kowtow ritual."
A："历史画作中常描绘人们行磕头礼的场景。"
📌 Example 8
A: "The meaning of kowtow has changed greatly with the development of society."
A："随着社会发展，磕头的含义已发生巨大变化。"
No can do
不行、做不到
Typical Chinglish expression translated literally from Chinese "不行" or "做不到", no...
Ginseng
人参
A perennial herb native to East Asia, especially China, with fleshy roots used i...
Paper tiger
纸老虎
A metaphor for someone or something that looks powerful and threatening on the s...
Abandon him
放弃他
A simple Chinglish expression used to advise others to give up on a person who i...
Yen
渴望
Yen means a strong intense desire or craving for something, especially derived f...
Guanxi
关系
A unique Chinese social concept referring to interpersonal networks, reciprocal ...
Lychee
荔枝
A tropical fruit native to southern China, with sweet white flesh and a rough re...
Tycoon
大亨
Tycoon refers to a powerful and wealthy business magnate with great influence in...
💬 Leave a Comment
Share your thoughts on this phrase. No account needed — just your email.