俯首 fǔshǒu to bend one's head
How to remember 俯首: 俯 to bow down + 首 head = to bend one's head.
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How it is used
- To bow/lower one's head - literally 俯首帖耳 or figuratively 俯首认罪 (fǔshǒu rènzuì) to bow one's head and admit guilt.
- Almost always in fixed idioms signaling submission: 俯首听命 (bow and obey), 俯首称臣 (submit as a vassal).
- Literary/formal; you won't hear it for physically lowering your head in speech - use 低头 (dītóu) for that.