拱きょう手しゅ

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

doing nothing to help; watching with arms folded

Idiomatic use: describes a passive, uninvolved stance, often in situations where action is expected. Commonly used in the phrase 拱手傍観 (きょうしゅぼうかん).

• 彼かれは困こまっている友とも達だちを拱きょう手しゅ傍ぼう観かんしていた。

  He stood by with his arms folded while his friend was in trouble.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

bowing with hands clasped in front of the chest (Chinese-style salute)

Refers to the traditional Chinese gesture of respect, where the hands are held together in front of the chest. Rarely used in modern Japanese outside historical or cultural contexts.

• 中ちゅう国ごくの伝でん統とう的てきな挨あい拶さつでは、拱きょう手しゅをすることがある。

  In traditional Chinese greetings, people sometimes bow with their hands clasped in front of their chest.