Chinese Character: 跪
1. Character Basics
Radical: 足/zú (foot), 危/wēi (danger)
Stroke Count: 13 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Guì (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: To kneel
Extended Meaning: To prostrate oneself; to kneel down as a sign of respect, submission, or supplication
Additional Meaning: Used in idioms to express extreme respect or regret
4. Common Words
- 跪下 (guì xià): To kneel down
Example: 他跪下向她求婚。(Tā guì xià xiàng tā qiú hūn.) - He knelt down and proposed to her. - 跪拜 (guì bài): To kneel and worship
Example: 古人见到皇帝要跪拜。(Gǔ rén jiàn dào huáng dì yào guì bài.) - Ancient people had to kneel and worship when they saw the emperor. - 跪谢 (guì xiè): To kneel and thank
Example: 他跪谢救命恩人。(Tā guì xiè jiù mìng ēn rén.) - He knelt down to thank his savior. - 跪安 (guì ān): To kneel and take leave (in imperial times)
Example: 大臣向皇帝跪安后退出。(Dà chén xiàng huáng dì guì ān hòu tuì chū.) - The minister knelt to take leave from the emperor and then withdrew. - 长跪 (cháng guì): To kneel for a long time
Example: 他长跪在祖先墓前。(Tā cháng guì zài zǔ xiān mù qián.) - He knelt for a long time in front of his ancestors' tomb.
5. Grammar & Usage
Verb Usage:
- Most commonly used as a transitive or intransitive verb meaning "to kneel"
- Can be used alone or with complements to indicate the manner or purpose of kneeling
Common Structures:
- 跪 + 下: 跪下 (to kneel down)
- 跪 + 拜: 跪拜 (to kneel and worship)
- 跪 + 着: 跪着 (kneeling)
- 跪 + 向 + 对象: 跪向长辈 (to kneel facing the elders)
Collocations:
- 与表示动作的词组合: 跪坐 (kneeling and sitting), 跪行 (to move on knees)
- 与表示目的的词组合: 跪请 (to kneel and request), 跪求 (to kneel and beg)
6. Cultural Background
The character "跪" has deep cultural significance in Chinese society:
- In traditional Chinese culture, kneeling was an important form of etiquette, showing respect to elders, superiors, and ancestors
- It was a required gesture when meeting the emperor in imperial times
- Kneeling is still practiced in some traditional ceremonies, such as weddings, funerals, and ancestor worship
- In Chinese martial arts, certain stances and movements incorporate kneeling positions
- Idioms containing "跪" often reflect cultural values, such as 跪求 (kneeling and begging) to express extreme urgency or sincerity
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
在中国传统婚礼上，新人要向父母跪拜。
(Zài zhōng guó chuán tǒng hūn lǐ shàng, xīn rén yào xiàng fù mǔ guì bài.)
In traditional Chinese weddings, the newlyweds must kneel and worship their parents.
Example 2:
他跪在地上，请求她的原谅。
(Tā guì zài dì shàng, qǐng qiú tā de yuán liàng.)
He knelt on the ground, begging for her forgiveness.
Example 3:
清明节时，人们会跪在祖先墓前扫墓。
(Qīng míng jié shí, rén men huì guì zài zǔ xiān mù qián sǎo mù.)
During the Qingming Festival, people kneel in front of their ancestors' tombs to sweep the graves.
8. Memory Tips
Here are some tips to help you remember the character "跪":
- Component Breakdown: 足 (foot) + 危 (danger) = 跪 (to kneel). Imagine someone kneeling down because they are in a dangerous or submissive position
- Image Association: Picture someone kneeling on the ground with their legs (represented by the 足 radical) in a position that might seem vulnerable or "dangerous"
- Sound Association: The pronunciation "guì" sounds like "贵" (expensive), but remember that "跪" involves lowering oneself rather than being elevated
- Action Memory: Practice the motion of kneeling while saying the character to create a physical memory association
- Story Method: Create a simple story: "The person felt in danger (危) and knelt down (跪) on their feet (足) to show respect."