How Do You Spell KOWTOW?

Pronunciation: [kˈa͡ʊta͡ʊ] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "kowtow" is peculiar and may confuse some readers. The first syllable is pronounced like "cow," and the second syllable is pronounced like "tau." The word is spelled according to its Chinese origins, where "kou" means "knock" and "tou" means "head." The IPA transcription for "kowtow" is /ˌkaʊˈtaʊ/. It is important to familiarize oneself with unique spelling variations in the English language, as they can greatly affect communication and understanding.

KOWTOW Meaning and Definition

  1. Kowtow, originating from Chinese culture, is a verb that refers to the act of touching one's forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect or submission, especially in front of a person of higher authority, such as an emperor or leader. It is often accompanied by bending the knees and bowing deeply.

    In a figurative sense, kowtow denotes a behavior or action that involves extreme subservience or deference to gain approval or favor from someone in a position of power or authority. It is synonymous with groveling, obsequiousness, or sycophancy. Someone who kowtows may excessively flatter, praise, or submit themselves to appease or gain the approval of a superior, sacrificing their own dignity or self-respect.

    The term "kowtow" carries historical and cultural connotations, embodying notions of hierarchy, honor, and societal norms deeply rooted in traditional East Asian customs and protocols. It reflects the value placed on respect for authority figures and the strict adherence to social hierarchies in these cultures.

    However, in modern contexts, the usage of "kowtow" often carries a negative connotation, as it implies subservience or the act of compromising one's principles or beliefs to gain personal or professional benefits. It is commonly employed to criticize individuals involved in excessive flattery or to describe actions perceived as immoderate reverence toward those in power.

Common Misspellings for KOWTOW

Etymology of KOWTOW

The word "kowtow" has its origins in Chinese. It is derived from the Chinese term "kòu tóu" (磕头), which literally means "knock head". In traditional Chinese culture, performing a kowtow involved kneeling and touching one's forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect or submission. The term was later adopted into English in the early 19th century, where it came to represent an act of extreme deference or obsequiousness.

Idioms with the word KOWTOW

  • kowtow to sm or sth The idiom "kowtow to someone or something" means to show excessive respect, obedience, or submission to a person or thing, often in an exaggerated or unwarranted manner. It implies the act of bowing down or groveling before someone or something to gain favor or avoid confrontation, even if one disagrees or feels compelled to compromise their principles.
  • kowtow to someone or something To "kowtow to someone or something" means to show excessive respect or submissiveness towards them, often to gain favor or avoid punishment. It is derived from a historical Chinese practice of kneeling and touching one's forehead to the ground as a sign of utmost reverence or submission. In a figurative sense, it refers to an exaggerated display of deference or obedience.

Similar spelling words for KOWTOW

Plural form of KOWTOW is KOWTOWS

Conjugate verb Kowtow

CONDITIONAL

I would kowtow
you would kowtow
he/she/it would kowtow
we would kowtow
they would kowtow

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be kowtowing
you would be kowtowing
he/she/it would be kowtowing
we would be kowtowing
they would be kowtowing

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have kowtow
you would have kowtow
he/she/it would have kowtow
we would have kowtow
they would have kowtow

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been kowtowing
you would have been kowtowing
he/she/it would have been kowtowing
we would have been kowtowing
they would have been kowtowing

FUTURE

I will kowtow
you will kowtow
he/she/it will kowtow
we will kowtow
they will kowtow

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be kowtowing
you will be kowtowing
he/she/it will be kowtowing
we will be kowtowing
they will be kowtowing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have kowtowed
you will have kowtowed
he/she/it will have kowtowed
we will have kowtowed
they will have kowtowed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been kowtowing
you will have been kowtowing
he/she/it will have been kowtowing
we will have been kowtowing
they will have been kowtowing

IMPERATIVE

you kowtow
we let´s kowtow

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to kowtow

PAST

I kowtowed
you kowtowed
he/she/it kowtowed
we kowtowed
they kowtowed

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was kowtowing
you were kowtowing
he/she/it was kowtowing
we were kowtowing
they were kowtowing

PAST PARTICIPLE

kowtowed

PAST PERFECT

I had kowtowed
you had kowtowed
he/she/it had kowtowed
we had kowtowed
they had kowtowed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been kowtowing
you had been kowtowing
he/she/it had been kowtowing
we had been kowtowing
they had been kowtowing

PRESENT

I kowtow
you kowtow
he/she/it kowtows
we kowtow
they kowtow

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am kowtowing
you are kowtowing
he/she/it is kowtowing
we are kowtowing
they are kowtowing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

kowtowing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have kowtowed
you have kowtowed
he/she/it has kowtowed
we have kowtowed
they have kowtowed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been kowtowing
you have been kowtowing
he/she/it has been kowtowing
we have been kowtowing
they have been kowtowing
I would have kowtowed
we would have kowtowed
you would have kowtowed
he/she/it would have kowtowed
they would have kowtowed

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