弯腰
wān yāo
The English phrase "bend over" is translated into Chinese as 弯腰 (wān yāo).
弯腰 is used for both a physical action (like picking something up) and as a general description of the movement of the torso.
Meaning: to bend one's upper body forward (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 弯 (wān), meaning to bend and 腰 (yāo), meaning waist/lower back.
How do you pronounce it?
wān yāo
Did you know?
- The word 腰 (waist) is used in the Chinese idiom 腰杆子硬 (yāogānzi yìng), which literally means 'stiff waist' but actually describes someone who is confident and refuses to yield to others.
- In Chinese culture, the physical act of 弯腰 (bending the waist) is often linked to the concept of humility and respect, particularly in historical contexts where bowing was a requirement of social hierarchy.
- The character 弯 (to bend) is a pictograph that originally resembled a bow or a curved object, reflecting how ancient Chinese writers visualized physical curvature.
Examples in context
- 他背疼，不能弯腰。He has back pain, he can't bend over.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 弯腰 when discussing physical limitations caused by pain.Tatoeba #3365336 by go_oo, translation #7772884 by sharris123
- 帮我弯腰拾起地上的小纸片。Help me bend over and pick up the small piece of paper on the floor.
- 俯身看看这个盒子里是什么。Bend over and take a look inside this box to see what's in it.
- 请弯腰捡起那个球。Qǐng wānyāo jiǎnqǐ nàge qiú.Please bend over to pick up that ball.
- 医生让我弯腰检查。Yīshēng ràng wǒ wānyāo jiǎnchá.The doctor asked me to bend over for an examination.
Example conversation
A physical therapist is examining a patient's back.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，请慢慢弯腰。Zhìqiáng, qǐng mànman wānyāo.Zhiqiang, please bend over slowly.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这样可以吗？Zhèyàng kěyǐ ma?Is this okay?
- 佳怡 Jiayi可以，你的背部很僵硬。Kěyǐ, nǐ de bèibù hěn jiāngyù.Yes, your back is very stiff.
- 志强 Zhiqiang难怪我最近总是酸痛。Nánguài wǒ zuìjìn zǒngshì suāntòng.No wonder I've been aching lately.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
