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俯首 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
俯首fǔshǒuto bend one's headHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #34830, Very Hard
fǔshǒu(fu3shou3) T3
  1. 1to bend one's head
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March 24, 2026

俯首fǔshǒu(fu3shou3)

俯首 (fǔ shǒu) means to bend one's head down, typically as a gesture of submission, respect, or humility. This expression is often used in contexts where someone is showing deference or acknowledging authority.

Strokes19Frequency#34830DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of lowering one's head can symbolize respect, especially in hierarchical relationships where submission to elders or superiors is valued. This gesture often appears in traditional ceremonies and greetings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bird (鸟) bending its head (首) down to the ground (俯) to listen to the whispers of the earth. The character 俯, with its radical 'to bend down', visually represents this action, while 首 signifies 'head'. Together, they create the image of lowering one's head.

Meanings of 俯首

fǔshǒu(fu3shou3)
1to bend one's head
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About 俯首

俯首Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 俯首

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Podcast: 俯首

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AI Study Notes for 俯首

Quick Contrast

屈身 (qū shēn) vs 俯首 (fǔ shǒu): 屈身 emphasizes bending the body or posture, while 俯首 specifically refers to lowering the head.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 俯首 with similar expressions that imply bowing or lowering one's entire body, such as 鞠躬 (jū gōng). It is more formal and should be used in contexts of respect or submission rather than casual interactions.

HSK Study Tips

俯首 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but understanding it can enhance comprehension of phrases related to respect and humility. Focus on recognizing its components and usage in formal contexts to enrich your vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 俯首 with 低头 (dī tóu), which also means to lower the head but in a more casual or less formal way. Ensure to use 俯首 in contexts requiring a demonstration of respect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 俯首

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Component Characters

俯fǔto bow down, to face down, to look down
10 strokes亻
View full entry
首shǒuhead
HSK 49 strokes首
View full entry

How to say to bend one's head in Chinese

“to bend one's head” in Chinese is俯首fǔshǒu

俯首 (fǔ shǒu) means to bend one's head down, typically as a gesture of submission, respect, or humility. This expression is often used in contexts where someone is showing deference or acknowledging authority.

When to use 俯首

Be careful not to confuse 俯首 with similar expressions that imply bowing or lowering one's entire body, such as 鞠躬 (jū gōng). It is more formal and should be used in contexts of respect or submission rather than casual interactions.

俯首 or something close to it

屈身 (qū shēn) vs 俯首 (fǔ shǒu): 屈身 emphasizes bending the body or posture, while 俯首 specifically refers to lowering the head.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 俯首 with 低头 (dī tóu), which also means to lower the head but in a more casual or less formal way. Ensure to use 俯首 in contexts requiring a demonstration of respect.

Write 俯首

俯
首

Practice writing 俯首 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 俯首

俯首 is used in formal situations where respect is shown, such as during greetings or when acknowledging someone in authority.

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