拝 means “worship, bow”

おがむ · ogamu

Also: adore, pray to

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): おがむ, おろがむ
On'yomi (Chinese reading): ハイ

JLPT N2 · Taught in grade 6 · 8 strokes

The story

The older form 拜 looks like two hands (手手) brought down together in a bow, and 拝 keeps a hand (扌) on the left. 拝む is to pray with palms pressed together, 参拝 is a visit to a shrine, and 拝啓 opens a formal letter.

Used in 拝む (ogamu, to pray to), 参拝 (sanpai, shrine or temple visit), and 拝見 (haiken, looking at, humble)

拝 means “worship, bow”

The story

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