gwai6 dai1跪低
Jyutpinggwai6 dai1
Yalegwaih dāi
Definition
To kneel down; to submit or yield.
- to kneel down with one's knees touching the ground
- figurativeto yield; to give in; to submit
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
While literally describing the physical action of kneeling, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone yielding or submitting to pressure. It carries a strong sense of humiliation or total defeat in social or political contexts. Using it to describe a simple physical action is fine, but be aware of the heavy emotional weight it carries when applied to interpersonal conflicts.
Examples
He has to kneel down and admit his mistake for doing something wrong.
Why do you have to kneel down to beg for his forgiveness?
Related words
Common phrases
to kneel down and admit one's fault
to kneel down and beg for mercy
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with just 跪, which is the formal verb for kneeling. 跪低 is specifically used in spoken Cantonese to emphasize the downward motion or the act of lowering oneself to a submissive position.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
