Definitions

bài (verb) to bow; to pay respect; to worship
bài (verb) to visit; to call on

Etymology

Depicts a hand () pulling a plant (𠦪) out of the ground. Based on the original meaning "pull out", now written as . The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character "拜" derives from an early pictographic concept of two hands clasped together, initially representing the physical act of a ritual bow or gesture of submission and reverence. Its modern structure retains this idea, combining the hand radical (扌) on the left with a right component that is a conventionalized representation of a second hand, together illustrating the gesture. The meaning of "拜" broadened from its original focus on worship and paying respects to encompass related actions such as formally visiting someone, acknowledging a teacher or authority figure, and the ceremonial act of appointing someone to a post or title.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我今天去访他。

Wǒ jīntiān qù bàifǎng tā.

I am going to visit him today.

我们崇英雄。

Wǒmen chóngbài yīngxióng.

We worship heroes.

访了老师。

Tā bàifǎng le lǎoshī.

She visited the teacher.

师学艺。

Tā bài shī xué yì.

He apprenticed to a master to learn a skill.

春节时我们年。

Chūnjié shí wǒmen bài nián.

During Spring Festival, we pay New Year visits.

我们必须谢他的帮助。

Wǒmen bìxū bài xiè tā de bāngzhù.

We must bow and thank him for his help.

他虔诚地佛。

Tā qiánchéng de bài fó.

He devoutly worships Buddha.

在仪式上他们跪祖先。

Zài yíshì shàng tāmen guì bài zǔxiān.

In the ceremony, they kneel and worship their ancestors.