About
The character 躬, formed from the components 身 (body) and 弓 (bow), originally depicted a bowed physical posture, conveying the concrete idea of bending or the body itself. Its meaning gradually extended from this literal sense to express abstract concepts of personal involvement and direct action, often used in classical texts to signify "oneself" or "personally", as in terms like 躬行 for personal practice. This semantic shift from a physical gesture to a metaphor for earnest engagement illustrates how the character's structural etymology continued to influence its evolving usage over time.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他鞠躬表示敬意。
服务员向客人鞠躬。
他躬身捡起地上的书。
领导躬身听取群众意见。
她亲自躬身实践这个计划。
在会议上，他躬身道歉，态度诚恳。
为了了解实际情况，他躬身深入基层调研。
只有躬身参与其中，才能体会其中的艰辛与快乐。