拜 bài to bow
How to remember 拜: ⿱㇒⿻二丿 hand + ⿻干二 hand = to bow. Meeting her new in-laws in Beijing, the nervous bride presses one hand to the other hand and forgets whether she is supposed to bow.
Component breakdown
拜 = ⿱㇒⿻二丿 hand + ⿻干二 hand
- ⿱㇒⿻二丿 hand
- ⿻干二 hand
Meeting her new in-laws in Beijing, the nervous bride presses one hand to the other hand and forgets whether she is supposed to bow.
How it came to be
Two hands brought together and pushed down, drawn side by side. It is the whole gesture of a formal bow: the hands lead, the body follows, and only the hands are drawn.
How it is used
- Means to bow/pay respects/worship, with a formal, ceremonious flavor - 拜年 (bàinián) pay New Year respects; 崇拜 (chóngbài) to worship/idolize.
- Very productive in courtesy verbs: 拜访 (bàifǎng) pay a visit, 拜托 (bàituō) 'please do me a favor' (a common polite plea), 拜见 (bàijiàn) call on a superior.