Vietnamese edit

Etymology edit

Non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese (SV: bái).

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

vái (𥛉)

  1. to express one's respect or worship by pressing the palms together in front of one's chest while bowing, to perform a wai
    • 2005, chapter 1, in Cao Tự Thanh, transl., Anh hùng xạ điêu, Văn học, translation of 射雕英雄传 by Jīn Yōng (Kim Dung):
      – Bần đạo quả thật rất thô lỗ, xin tạ lỗi ở đây. / Nói xong lại vái dài một vái.
      "I'm really very rude, please accept my apologies," he said and gave a long bow, his hands together in front of his chest.
    • 2007, Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, “Ngày giỗ Tổ lại đóng cửa đền thờ Tổ!”, in Tuổi trẻ online[1]:
      Nhiều người chỉ biết đứng lặng ở ngoài cửa đền chắp tay vái ba vái rồi lặng lẽ ra về.
      Many people have no choice but to stand outside the temple doors in silence, bring their hands together, do the three bows of worship, and silently go home.

Derived terms edit

Derived terms

Noun edit

vái

  1. instance of such an expression, a wai