Meanings
to show excessive respect or obedience, often by kneeling and bowing down
زیادہ احترام یا اطاعت ظاہر کرنا، اکثر گھٹنے کے بل بیٹھ کر اور جھک کر
بھونکنا
bhonkna
Common Collocations
- kowtow to authority
- kowtow to pressure
- kowtow to society
Example Sentences
He refuses to kowtow to anyone in the office.
وہ دفتر میں کسی کے سامنے جھکنے سے انکار کرتا ہے۔
Woh daftar mein kisi ke samne jhukne se inkar karta hai.
Leaders shouldn't have to kowtow to popular opinion.
لیڈروں کو عوامی رائے کے سامنے جھکنے کی ضرورت نہیں ہے۔
Leaders ko awami rai ke samne jhukne ki zaroorat nahi hai.
The employee felt compelled to kowtow to his boss.
ملازم کو اپنے مالک کے سامنے جھکنے پر مجبور محسوس ہوا۔
Mulazim ko apne malik ke samne jhukne par majboor mehsoos hua.
Easily Confused With
Word Family
See Also
💡 Memory Tip
Remember 'Kowtow' as a mix of 'KOW' (like a cow) and 'TOW' (to bow down), visualizing a cow bowing.
Imagine a cow kneeling before a farmer, bowing as a sign of respect.
✍️ Urdu Poetry
عذر کرنے لگا جو کبھی گزر نہیں جا سکتا
Uzr karne laga jo kabhi guzar nahi ja sakta
One who begins to excuse cannot go unscathed.
— Unknown, Unverified
* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.
🗣️ Urdu Proverb
جو جھکتا ہے وہ بڑھتا ہے
Jo jhukta hai wo barhta hai
He who bows shall rise.
📖 Etymology
Origin: Chinese "叩头 (kòutóu)" — to knock one's head (as a sign of respect)
First known use: 1800s
Originally a term from Chinese culture referring to the act of kneeling and bumping one's head on the ground as a sign of respect. It was introduced in English in the 19th century.