Question of the Day #1346

'Kowtow to communist China or expect anger and punishments'

From the headline of this article at Skynews.com.au.

  上記の文で、kowtowの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "kowtow" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

【自動】

1. 叩頭［叩首］する
2. こびへつらう、卑屈に振る舞う

【名】

1. 叩頭、叩首◆膝をつき、額を地面に付けるおじぎ。深い尊敬や従属の意を表す、かつて中国で行われていたおじぎの仕方。
2. こびへつらい、卑屈な態度

   

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

intransitive verb

1. to show obsequious deference : FAWN
2. to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect

noun

1. an act of kowtowing

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

【語源】中国語のkou（叩）tou（頭）から。

 

Etymology

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary:

also kow-tow, 1804, from Chinese k'o-t'ou, custom of touching the ground with the forehead while kneeling as a gesture of respect or submission, literally "knock the head," from k'o "knock, bump" + t'ou "head."

   

Examples

1. The Trump administration is being urged to go on offense and make sure the next United Nations chief is aligned with U.S. and Western values and doesn't kowtow to what critics say is an increasingly anti-American institution. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 5 Dec. 2025
2. Two years ago, she got fired from her $196,551 hack sinecure at the Cannabis Control Commission for not sufficiently kowtowing to the woke mob. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Nov. 2025
3. Many figures in the media world viewed the settlement as a kowtow to the president as Paramount seeks FCC approval for its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 24 July 2025
4. To cover up his kowtow, the president crowed that Russia and Ukraine would now begin negotiations for a ceasefire. — Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025
5. Maybe there’s a lesson here in not kowtowing to the diehards in advance. — Vulture, 25 Aug. 2023

   

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