Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

wai

Noun

/waɪ/

Definition

A traditional Thai greeting and gesture of respect.

Examples

When you meet someone in Thailand, it’s common to greet them with a wai.
The child learned to perform a wai after each meal as a sign of gratitude.
During the festival, people exchanged wais to show their appreciation for one another.

Meaning

The wai is performed by pressing the palms together in a prayer-like position and bowing slightly. It is an expression of gratitude, respect, or acknowledgment towards another person.