bei1 gung1 wat1 sat1卑躬屈膝

Jyutpingbei1 gung1 wat1 sat1

Yalebēi gūng wāt sāt

語句

Definition

To bow and scrape; to grovel or show extreme, self-abasing subservience.

neutralpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong negative connotation, describing someone who sacrifices their dignity and self-respect to please others. It is often used to criticize those who are overly sycophantic or spineless in the face of authority. Unlike simple politeness, this phrase implies a shameful, voluntary loss of status.

Examples

keoi5佢wai6為zo2咗fan2份gung1工，seng4成jat6日deoi3對lou5老sai3細bei1卑gung1躬wat1屈sat1膝。

For the sake of his job, he is always groveling to his boss.

zou6做jan4人jiu3要jau5有gwat1骨hei3氣，m4唔hou2好deoi3對jan4人bei1卑gung1躬wat1屈sat1膝aa4呀。

You should have some backbone and not be subservient to others.

Common phrases

deoi3對jan4人bei1卑gung1躬wat1屈sat1膝

to be subservient to someone

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of bowing or kneeling. It is strictly a figurative expression for behavioral subservience and should not be used to describe formal greetings or physical actions like kneeling in prayer.