Wai
/waɪ/noun
A Thai greeting or gesture made by pressing the palms together, often with a slight bow.
Did you know?In Thai etiquette, raising the joined hands higher generally signals greater respect, with the position traditionally varying according to the recipient’s status.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Tai
Proto-Tai
*waj
“To salute or greet with a respectful gesture”
Early Tai languages
Tai languages
wai
“A greeting or salutation”
13th–15th Century
Thai
ไหว้ (wai)
“To pay respect, salute, or worship with joined hands”
17th–19th Century
Thai
ไหว้ (wai)
“A formal greeting and gesture of reverence”
20th Century
English
wai
“A Thai greeting involving pressed palms and a slight bow”
Modern English
English
wai
“The Thai gesture or greeting”
Explore more surprising origins