About
The character 揖 is a phono-semantic compound denoting a formal greeting gesture of respect from historical social interactions. Its structure features the semantic hand radical 扌 (shǒu) on the left, indicating a physical action performed with the hands and arms, while the right side contains the phonetic component 咠 (qì), which guides its pronunciation. Etymologically, 揖 refers to the specific act of clasping one's hands together before the chest and executing a slight forward bow to politely acknowledge guests, superiors, or equals. This salutation served for centuries as standard etiquette, allowing individuals to express profound deference without the need to kneel or prostrate fully.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他恭敬地向老师作揖。
客人在门前拱手作揖。
这位老者揖让的姿势十分标准。
他向大家作揖，感谢他们的帮助。
双方代表互相作揖后才开始谈判。
他并没有鞠躬，只是简单地作了个揖。
这种传统的揖礼如今已不多见。
我们必须懂得古代揖让之礼的内涵。