gassho

Meaning

Noun

A ritual gesture of Eastern origin, with hands pressed together in front of the chest. It can be used for prayer or as a sign of greeting, gratitude, reverence, or apology. When performed with a bow, it is called gassho rei.

Verb

To make this gesture.

Synonyms

gratitude

Translations

شكر

agraïment

Dank

Dankbarkeit

Erkenntlichkeit

ευγνωμοσύνη

gratitude

gratitudine

riconoscenza

gratia

pietas

dank

dankbaarheid

erkentelijkheid

Etymology

Cognate with Mandarin Chinese: 合掌

Cognate with Cantonese: 合掌

In summary

From Japanese 合掌 (gasshō), from Middle Chinese 合掌 (ɣop-tʃáng, “Buddhist-style pressed-palm gesture of piety”) (compare Mandarin 合掌 (hézhǎng), Cantonese 合掌 (hap⁶ jeung²)), from 合 (“unite”) and 掌 (zhǎng, “palm”).