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bow

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wâi

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ไหว้

#745 most commonverb↘ falling tone

What does ไหว้ mean?

To perform the traditional Thai greeting gesture by pressing palms together and bowing slightly. Used when meeting people, showing respect to elders, thanking someone, or greeting monks. The higher you hold your hands and the deeper you bow, the more respect you show. Essential for polite social interaction in Thailand.

Example Phrases

pǒm wâi ták-taay

ผมไหว้ทักทาย

I bow to greet you.

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Beginner

wâi kruu pɯ̂a sà-dɛɛng kwaam kow-róp

ไหว้ครูเพื่อแสดงความเคารพ

Bow to show respect to the teacher.

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Beginner

dèk wâi prá

เด็กไหว้พระ

The child bows to the monk.

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Beginner

raw wâi kɔ̀ɔp-kun

เราไหว้ขอบคุณ

We bow to thank you.

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Beginner

gà-rú-naa wâi pɔ̂ɔ mɛ̂ɛ

กรุณาไหว้พ่อแม่

Please bow to your parents.

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Beginner

mɯ̂a kâw wát kuan wâi prá pút-tá-rûup pɯ̂a sà-dɛɛng kwaam kow-róp

เมื่อเข้าวัดควรไหว้พระพุทธรูปเพื่อแสดงความเคารพ

When entering the temple, you should bow to show respect to the Buddha image.

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Intermediate

Related Words

kaa-rɔp

เคารพ

respect

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ták-taay

ทักทาย

greet

gràap

กราบ

bow down

prá

พระ

monk

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