叩

敂

kòu

卩 + 口

Definitions

kòu to knock; to kowtow

kòu old variant of 叩[kòu]; to knock

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 卩 represents the meaning and 口 represents the sound. Simplified form of 敂.

Semantic: 卩 Phonetic: 口

About

Originally a simplified form of 敂, the character 叩 is a phono-semantic compound: the right component 卩, depicting a kneeling figure, provides the meaning, while 口 (kǒu) gives the sound. It primarily means to strike or knock on a surface, and also refers to the act of kowtowing, kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground in deep respect, submission, or earnest entreaty.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他轻轻地叩门。

Tā qīng qīng de kòu mén.

He knocks on the door gently.

早上，我叩了叩门。

Zǎoshang, wǒ kòu le kòu mén.

In the morning, I knocked on the door.

她叩门想问事情。

Tā kòu mén xiǎng wèn shìqing.

She knocks on the door to ask about something.

我们叩头表示尊敬。

Wǒmen kòu tóu biǎoshì zūnjìng.

We kowtow to show respect.

叩问真相需要勇气。

Kòuwèn zhēnxiàng xūyào yǒngqì.

Inquiring into the truth requires courage.

他叩响了邻居的门。

Tā kòu xiǎng le línjū de mén.

He knocked on the neighbor's door.

每次回家，他都会叩门三下。

Měi cì huí jiā, tā dōu huì kòu mén sān xià.

Every time he returns home, he knocks on the door three times.

在古老的仪式中，人们叩首祈福。

Zài gǔlǎo de yíshì zhōng, rénmen kòu shǒu qí fú.

In ancient rituals, people kowtow to pray for blessings.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 卩

Component: 口

叩