ไหว้
wâiMeanings
1VerbA2
[to] wai; pay respect with palms together
to greet, show respect, or give thanks by pressing the palms together and bowing slightly (Thai gesture)
Examples
เด็กๆdèk dèkเด็กๆdèk dèk1children; kids2childish; immature3easy; trivial (colloquial)ไหว้ครูwâai krooไหว้ครูwâai kroo1[to] pay respect to teacher(s); do Wai Khru2Wai Khru ceremonyก่อนgònก่อนgòn1before; earlier; previously; first2previous; prior; formerเข้าเรียนkâo riianเข้าเรียนkâo riian1[to] attend class; go to class2[to] start/enter school; begin a program
The children wai to the teacher before class.
3 more examplesShow less
Yesterday I paid respect with a wai to the village head when we met at the temple fair.
Tomorrow, don’t forget to perform a wai to the household spirits before starting the move.
เขาkǎoไหว้wâiผู้สูงอายุpûu-sǔung-aa-yúอย่างyàangนอบน้อมnɔ̂ɔp-nɔ́ɔmเพื่อpʉ̂ʉaแสดงsà-dɛɛngความเคารพkwaam-kao-rópตามธรรมเนียมdtaam-tam-niiamไทยtai
He performs a respectful wai to the elderly to show deference according to Thai customs.
2NounA2
wai (gesture)
the act or gesture of paying respect by pressing the palms together with a slight bow
Examples
นักเรียนnák-riianนักเรียนnák-riianschool student; pupilยกมือyók-mʉʉยกมือyók-mʉʉ[to] raise one's handไหว้ครูwâi-kruuไหว้ครูwâi-kruu1[to] pay respect to teacher(s); do Wai Khru2Wai Khru ceremonyตอนเช้าdtɔɔn-cháoตอนเช้าdtɔɔn-cháo1morning (time period)2in the morning
Students raise their hands to wai the teacher in the morning.
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He performs a wai to elders before speaking.
Before entering the house, we give a brief wai to the spirit house.
The ceremony begins with performing a wai and asking for blessings from the elders.
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 markMai tho
- Syllable endingLive syllableNot needed here: the tone mark decides.
High class consonants
ขฃฉฐถผฝศษสห
Result
Falling tone
wâi
Starts high, rises a little, then drops clearly.
High class + Mai tho → Falling
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 | — | — |