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Expressing 'to knock' or 'to kowtow' with 磕 (kē)
Actions & Events
Manner & Method
Explanation
磕 (kē) is a verb meaning "to knock" or "to bump." It is most commonly seen in the expression 磕头 (kē tóu, "to kowtow"), meaning to kneel and touch one's forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect or worship.
Examples
小时候过年我们要给长辈磕头拜年。
Xiǎoshíhòu guònián wǒmen yào gěi zhǎngbèi kētóu bàinián.
When we were little, we had to kowtow to our elders to pay New Year's respects.
他不小心磕到了桌角，疼得直叫。
Tā bù xiǎoxīn kē dào le zhuōjiǎo, téng de zhí jiào.
He accidentally bumped into the corner of the table and cried out in pain.
古代人见到皇帝必须下跪磕头。
Gǔdài rén jiàndào huángdì bìxū xiàguì kētóu.
In ancient times, people had to kneel and kowtow when they saw the emperor.