Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| prosternarse | /pɾosteɾnaɾse/ (from spelling rules) |
| debruzar | /debɾuθaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /debɾusaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| debruzarse | /debɾuθaɾse/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /debɾusaɾse/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
The verb prosternarse is used to describe bending oneself as a gesture of respect or deference. It is frequently employed in religious or highly ceremonial contexts, such as when bowing before a deity or a monarch.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb prosternarse is composed of prosternar (to throw down or prostrate) and the reflexive pronoun se, literally meaning "to throw oneself down".
Which one should you use?
Prosternarse implies a much deeper level of submission or religious devotion, often involving falling to one's knees or the ground. This differs from a simple bow at the waist, which is more commonly expressed using the phrase hacer una reverencia.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While prosternarse is a single verb, a common way to express the action of performing a formal bow is by using the phrase hacer una reverencia.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾosteɾnaɾse/
When do people say it?
In Spain, it is customary to greet someone by shaking hands rather than bowing.
Did you know?
- The term reverencia shares a Latin root with the English word 'reverence', but in Spanish it is the standard way to name the physical gesture of bowing at the waist.
- In Spanish, the word prosternarse is closely linked to the concept of 'prostration', which in some Catholic traditions is reserved specifically for the Eucharist or the Pope.
- Unlike in some East Asian cultures where bowing is a daily social requirement, using hacer una reverencia in a modern Spanish-speaking social setting would be seen as an exaggerated or theatrical gesture.
Examples in context
- Realicé una reverencia hacia el presidente.I made a bow towards the president.
- Ellos se vieron obligados a prosternarse ante el rey.They were forced to bow before the king.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bow” translations and entries prosternarse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
