kowtow

• Ein Wort für den alten chinesischen Brauch, mit der Stirn den Boden zu berühren, um Respekt oder Unterwerfung auszudrücken; auch übertragen für unterwürfiges, kriecherisches Verhalten.

A noun referring to a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission.

1. Traditional Chinese gesture of respectC1formal

   A historical Chinese custom of kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect, submission, or worship, especially before an emperor or authority figure.

   Chinesischer Kotau

   • The ambassador performed the kowtow before the emperor.
   • In ancient China, the kowtow was a required ritual at the imperial court.
   • Foreign envoys were often expected to perform the kowtow as a sign of deference.

   Synonymekotow