Chinese word

五体投地

Pronunciation

Pinyinwǔ tǐ tóu dì

Meaning

  • idiomadmire deeply

Example

大家都为他五体投地。dà jiā dōu wèi tā wú tǐ tóu dì

Everyone admires him deeply.

Illustration for 五体投地 (admire deeply)

More examples

老师的故事让学生们五体投地。lǎo shī de gù shì ràng xué shēng men wú tǐ tóu dì

The teacher's story made the students admire him deeply.

Core concept

Admiration so complete that the admirer seems to bow with the whole body.

Similar words

心服口服xīn fú kǒu fú: Expresses deep respect after becoming fully convinced, inwardly and openly.
心悦诚服xīn yuè chéng fú: Expresses deep respect that comes with heartfelt agreement and willing acceptance.
顶礼膜拜díng lǐ mó bài: Expresses intense reverence through the image of bowing deeply in worship.

Definition in Chinese

五体投地原指礼拜时以头和四肢叩地的动作，现用作成语表示对人或事由衷敬佩、完全折服。wú tǐ tóu dì yuán zhǐ lǐ bài shí yǐ tóu hé sì zhī kòu dì de dòng zuò xiàn yòng zuò chéng yǔ biǎo shì duì rén huò shì yóu zhōng jìng pèi wán quán zhé fú

Word origin

五 (wǔ, "five") + 体 (tǐ, "body") refers to the head and four limbs, while 投 (tóu, "cast") + 地 (dì, "ground") recalls falling fully to the ground in reverence.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, it is vivid and often hyperbolic, so it fits extraordinary skill or achievement better than routine praise.

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