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กำลังโหลด
กำลังโหลด
การทักทายและการไหว้
Master the wai gesture and its levels, learn how to greet monks, elders, peers, and children appropriately.
The wai is Thailand's signature greeting -- palms pressed together in a prayer-like gesture with a slight bow. The height of the hands and depth of the bow indicate the level of respect.
ไหว้
wâai -- The Thai greeting gesture
สวัสดี
sa-wàt-dii -- Hello / Goodbye
สวัสดีตอนเช้า
sa-wàt-dii dtɔɔn cháo -- Good morning
สวัสดีตอนบ่าย
sa-wàt-dii dtɔɔn bàai -- Good afternoon
สวัสดีตอนเย็น
sa-wàt-dii dtɔɔn yen -- Good evening
Level 1 (highest): Thumbs touch between the eyebrows -- for monks and the King. Level 2: Thumbs at nose tip -- for elders and teachers. Level 3: Thumbs at chin -- for peers and equals.
The younger or lower-status person initiates the wai. You do NOT wai to children, service staff (when you are the customer), or people significantly younger than you.
When greeting a monk, where should your thumbs be?
Thais adjust their greeting style based on who they are speaking to. Monks receive the highest respect, followed by elders, then peers.
สวัสดีครับ/ค่ะ
sa-wàt-dii kráp kâ -- Formal hello
หวัดดี
wàt dii -- Casual hello (slang)
ไปไหน
bpai nǎi -- Where are you going? (casual greeting)
กินข้าวหรือยัง
gin kâao rɯ̌ɯ yang -- Have you eaten yet? (friendly greeting)
"ไปไหน" (where are you going?) and "กินข้าวหรือยัง" (have you eaten?) are common greetings. They don't require a literal answer -- they're just friendly ways to acknowledge someone.
A young person greets their older neighbor in the morning