ไหว้
wâai/waːj˥˩/
The Thai greeting ไหว้ (wâai) (wai).
The word ไหว้ can be used as a verb meaning to perform the traditional Thai greeting gesture.
Meaning: Thai greeting (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is wâai. The IPA is /waːj˥˩/.
When do people say it?
The height of the hands during a wai indicates the level of respect, with the thumbs typically touching the nose or forehead depending on the status of the person being greeted.
Did you know?
- The word ไหว้ is related to the Vietnamese word vái and shares an ancient root with Middle Chinese words for 'worship' and 'pray'.
- While the wai is common, Thai people do not typically wai to people of lower social status or younger children, usually responding with a smile or a nod instead.
- In certain contexts, a very deep wai can be used as a non-verbal way to plead for mercy or strongly apologize without saying a word.
Examples in context
- เขาไหว้ผู้ใหญ่ด้วยความเคารพ.khao wai phu-yai duai khwam khao-rop.He performs a wai to the elders with respect.
- หนูควรไหว้คุณครูทุกเช้า.nu khuan wai khun khru thuk chao.I should perform a wai to my teacher every morning.
- การไหว้เป็นวัฒนธรรมไทยที่สวยงาม.kan wai pen wat-tha-na-tham thai thi suai-ngam.The wai is a beautiful Thai culture.
Example conversation
Kanokwan is introducing her friend to a teacher.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanคุณครูคะ นี่เพื่อนของฉันค่ะkhun khru kha, ni phuean khong chan khaTeacher, this is my friend.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatสวัสดีครับ ยินดีที่ได้รู้จักครับsa wat di khrap, yin di thi dai ru jak khrapHello, nice to meet you.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanธีรภัทร อย่าลืมไหว้คุณครูด้วยTheeraphat, ya luem wai khun khru duaiTheeraphat, don't forget to wai the teacher.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatขอโทษครับ สวัสดีครับคุณครูkho thot khrap, sa wat di khrap khun khruI'm sorry. Hello, teacher.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wai” translations and entries ไหว้, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ไหว้, CC BY-SA 4.0.
