Kneel

It means kneeling, with the body supported by one or both knees. Images on Shang period artifacts show mat sitting and kneeling, but they do not date the written graph. Early graph forms survive in Chu manuscript and seal-script forms; Chu was an ancient Chinese state, and seal script is an old Chinese writing style. In 跪, 足 contributes the foot or leg meaning, while 危 supplies a sound cue.

In the Western Zhou dynasty, ritual texts and inscriptions on bronze vessels describe kneeling and bowing at investiture ceremonies, formal events appointing someone to a role. 跪 names the kneeling posture; 拜 is a bow or act of homage performed from it, while 稽首 is a deeper bow in which the forehead reaches the ground.

What does 给跪了 mean?

It signals exaggerated admiration, helplessness, or both. In 2012, 给跪了 was listed among Chinese internet expressions; it casts the speaker as kneeling before something impressive or jokingly giving up.

After an impressive feat, it reads as praise; after an absurd result, as self-mocking exasperation. In a literal sentence about pleading or physical action, 跪 still means kneeling.