低头
To lower head
بهطور تحتاللفظی: 低 (dī - low) + 头 (tóu - head)
Use it for looking at phones or when someone finally swallows their pride to apologize.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Physically tilting the head down to look at something.
- Metaphorically admitting defeat or yielding to someone's authority.
- Commonly used to describe people addicted to their smartphones.
- Can imply a loss of pride or a humble apology.
معنی
Literally, it means to tilt your head down toward the floor. In a deeper sense, it can mean admitting defeat or showing humility to someone else.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Observing people on a train
地铁上的人都在低头看手机。
Everyone on the subway is looking down at their phones.
A stubborn friend finally apologizing
他终于向我低头认错了。
He finally lowered his head and admitted he was wrong to me.
In a business negotiation
在事实面前，他不得不低头。
In the face of facts, he had to give in.
زمینه فرهنگی
Traditionally, 'lowering the head' symbolized a loss of dignity or yielding to power. In modern times, it has been repurposed to describe 'smartphone addicts' (低头族), reflecting how technology has changed our physical posture and social interactions.
The 'Phone' Connection
If you see a group of people all looking at their phones, you can whisper '全是低头族' (Quán shì dī tóu zú) to sound like a local.
Don't confuse with bowing
In Japan, bowing is a greeting. In China, `低头` is rarely a greeting; it's either looking at something or admitting defeat. Don't use it to say hello!
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Physically tilting the head down to look at something.
- Metaphorically admitting defeat or yielding to someone's authority.
- Commonly used to describe people addicted to their smartphones.
- Can imply a loss of pride or a humble apology.
What It Means
At its simplest, 低头 is just a physical action. You do it to tie your shoes or look at your phone. However, it carries a heavy emotional weight in Chinese culture. It often represents the act of surrendering or apologizing. When you 低头, you are physically and metaphorically lowering your status. It is about acknowledging someone else has the upper hand.
How To Use It
Use it physically when describing someone looking down. Use it figuratively when someone finally admits they were wrong. You will often see it used with the word 向 (xiàng - towards). For example, 向他低头 means 'to yield to him.' It is a strong way to describe a change in attitude. Just don't use it for a simple 'sorry' over a spilled coffee. It is usually for bigger ego-bruising moments.
When To Use It
You can use this in a professional setting. Imagine a boss and an employee having a major disagreement. If the employee gives in, they 低头 to the boss. It is also perfect for talking about stubborn friends. If two friends argue, the one who calls first is the one who 低头. It shows a level of maturity or perhaps just exhaustion. It is also the go-to phrase for the modern 'smartphone generation.'
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it for accidental physical movements. If you just dropped a coin, you are looking down, not necessarily 低头 in the cultural sense. Do not use it to mean 'respect' in a positive way. That would be 鞠躬 (jūgōng - to bow). 低头 often feels a bit more like a reluctant submission. If you are genuinely happy to help someone, this isn't the right phrase.
Cultural Background
In ancient China, keeping your head up was a sign of pride and integrity. There is a famous poem by Li Bai that uses 低头 to show homesickness. Today, the most common cultural use is the 'Low-Head Tribe' or 低头族. These are the people glued to their phones on the subway. It has shifted from a sign of shame to a sign of modern digital addiction. It is a fascinating evolution of a simple physical gesture.
Common Variations
The most popular modern variation is 低头族 (dī tóu zú). This refers to 'smartphone zombies' who never look up. Another common one is 不肯低头 (bù kěn dī tóu). This means someone is too stubborn to admit defeat. You might also hear 低头认错 (dī tóu rèn cuò). This specifically means to hang one's head and admit a mistake. It paints a very clear picture of a guilty person.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is neutral but leans toward informal in daily conversation. Be careful using the figurative meaning (surrender) as it can imply a significant loss of pride for the person involved.
The 'Phone' Connection
If you see a group of people all looking at their phones, you can whisper '全是低头族' (Quán shì dī tóu zú) to sound like a local.
Don't confuse with bowing
In Japan, bowing is a greeting. In China, `低头` is rarely a greeting; it's either looking at something or admitting defeat. Don't use it to say hello!
The Pride Factor
Chinese culture values 'face' (miànzi). `低头` is a literal loss of face, which is why it's such a powerful way to describe a serious apology.
مثالها
6地铁上的人都在低头看手机。
Everyone on the subway is looking down at their phones.
A very common observation of modern life.
他终于向我低头认错了。
He finally lowered his head and admitted he was wrong to me.
Shows the figurative meaning of yielding or admitting a mistake.
在事实面前，他不得不低头。
In the face of facts, he had to give in.
Used here to mean accepting a reality or losing an argument.
他低着头走在雨里。
He walked in the rain with his head down.
Purely physical description, often implies sadness.
别再低头了，你的脖子不疼吗？
Stop looking down; doesn't your neck hurt?
A friendly tease about someone using their phone too much.
我绝不向困难低头。
I will never bow down to difficulties.
A common inspirational phrase about perseverance.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct phrase to describe someone addicted to their phone.
他整天看手机，真是个___。
`低头族` (dī tóu zú) is the specific noun for 'smartphone addicts' or 'the low-head tribe.'
Complete the sentence to show someone admitting a mistake.
他意识到自己错了，向大家___。
`低头认错` is the full expression for bowing one's head and admitting a fault.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of '低头'
Talking about friends on phones.
你是低头族吗？
Describing physical actions.
他低头看路。
Expressing surrender or resilience.
不向命运低头。
When to use '低头'
Using a phone
低头看手机
Admitting a mistake
低头认错
Finding money
低头捡钱
Giving in
向他低头
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNot at all! It can be a neutral physical description, like 低头看书 (looking down to read a book).
Indirectly, yes. You can say 害羞地低下了头 (lowered the head shyly), which is a common romantic trope in stories.
It's more of a social observation or a light critique. People use it to describe themselves too!
The opposite is 抬头 (tái tóu), which means to raise your head.
Only if you are being very metaphorical about not giving up, like 不向困难低头. Otherwise, it's a bit too informal.
You would say 我低头看了看表 (Wǒ dī tóu kàn le kàn biǎo).
Yes, Li Bai's 'Quiet Night Thought' uses it: 低头思故乡 (Lowering my head, I think of my hometown).
No, bowing is 鞠躬. 低头 is just the head movement, not the whole upper body.
It means someone is stubborn and refuses to admit they are wrong or defeated.
If you are admitting you didn't do your homework, 低头认错 is appropriate and shows respect.
عبارات مرتبط
抬头 (tái tóu) - To raise one's head
低头族 (dī tóu zú) - Smartphone addicts
认错 (rèn cuò) - To admit a mistake
屈服 (qū fú) - To surrender/yield
思故乡 (sī gù xiāng) - To miss one's hometown
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