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平身低頭 (へいしんていとう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
prostrating oneself ; kowtowing ; humbling oneself deeply
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
A yojijukugo describing deep apology or supplication, often involving a physical bow or metaphorical self-abasement. Used with する to mean 'to prostrate oneself' or 'to beg forgiveness humbly'.
そんな に 平へい 身しん 低てい 頭とう し なく て も 大だい 丈じょう 夫ぶ です よ 。
You don't have to humble yourself that much; it's all right.
Kanji 身 somebody, person, one's station in life 頭 head, counter for large animals Similar words 土ど 下げ 座ざ 土下座 refers specifically to kneeling on the ground and bowing deeply, often as a formal apology. 平身低頭 is more figurative and can describe extreme humility without the literal physical act.
謝しゃ 罪ざい 謝罪 is a general term for apology. 平身低頭 emphasizes the depth of the apology and the humble posture, either literal or metaphorical.
Etymology A yojijukugo composed of 平身 (flat body) and 低頭 (lowered head), literally meaning to flatten one's body and bow one's head, i.e., to prostrate oneself in deep apology or supplication.
