ไหว
wǎiMeanings
1VerbA2
[to] be able to; manage to
to be able to do or endure something; used after a verb to show ability or tolerance (e.g., eat-ไหวไหวwǎi1[to] be able to; manage to2[to] shake; tremble; quiver = can eat)
Examples
ข้าวkâaoข้าวkâao1rice (cooked)2rice (grain/uncooked)3meal; food (general)4rice plant; paddyจานjaanจานjaan1plate; dish (tableware)2classifier for plates/servings3dish antenna; satellite dishนี้níiนี้níi1this (near speaker)2this one3this; the present (time/topic)เผ็ดpètเผ็ดpèt1spicy; hot (pungent)2figuratively fierce/bitingเกินไปgəən-bpaiเกินไปgəən-bpaitoo; overly; excessivelyฉันchǎnฉันchǎn1I; me2[to] eat (of Buddhist monks and novices)กินginกินgin1[to] eat2[to] drink (colloquial/with some nouns)3[to] consume; use up4[to] corrode; erode; eat into5[to] take (a bribe); pocketไม่ไหวmâi-wǎiไม่ไหวmâi-wǎi[to] be unable (to [do sth]); cannot
This dish is too spicy; I can’t eat it.
3 more examplesShow less
I worked late last night, so I just can’t wake up early today.
It was so loud that I couldn’t stand listening and had to cover my ears.
If we walk for another hour, can you handle it?
2VerbB1
[to] shake; tremble; quiver
to move with slight rapid motion, as from cold, fear, or vibration
Examples
มือmʉʉมือmʉʉ1hand2skill; level; expertise3classifier: players in certain gambling games4doer; agent5round; turn (card games)ของฉันkɔ̌ɔng-chǎnของฉันkɔ̌ɔng-chǎnmy; mineไหวwǎiไหวwǎi1[to] be able to; manage to2[to] shake; tremble; quiverเพราะprɔ́เพราะprɔ́1because2because of; due to3melodious; pleasant-soundingหนาวnǎaoหนาวnǎao1cold; chilly2[to] feel cold3cold season; winter (Thai context)มากmâakมากmâak1very; extremely2much; a lot; greatly3many; numerous
My hands are trembling because it's very cold.
3 more examplesShow less
When hearing the bad news, his voice quivered slightly.
The table shakes slightly every time a truck passes in front of the house.
เปลวเทียนbpleeo-tiianไหวwǎiระริกrá-ríkตามdtaamลมlomทำให้tam-hâiเงาngaoบนbonผนังpà-nǎngสั่นไหวsàn-wǎiไปมาbpai-maa
The candle flame flickered with the breeze, making the shadows on the wall quiver back and forth.
Tones
See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.
How the tone is decided
- Consonant classHigh classLeading หA silent ห before ว puts this syllable in high class.
- Tone markNo tone mark
- Syllable endingLive syllableThe vowel ไ hides a final -ย, so it is live.
High class consonants
ขฃฉฐถผฝศษสห
Result
Rising tone
wǎi
Dips low first, then rises clearly.
High class + No tone mark + Live syllable → Rising
Tone chart
Every class and spelling pattern, with this syllable outlined.
| Mid class | High class | Low class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No mark + live | Mid | Rising | Mid |
| No mark + dead short | Low | Low | High |
| No mark + dead long | Low | Low | Falling |
| Mai ek | Low | Low | Falling |
| Mai tho | Falling | Falling | High |
| Mai tri | High | — | — |
| Mai chattawa | Rising | — | — |