Definition

1. Verb:

   • To bow with hands clasped: The primary meaning of "vái" is to show deep respect, reverence, or supplication by bowing the head or upper body while pressing the palms together, typically directed towards a deity, altar, or ancestor.
   • To beg or implore earnestly: In a figurative sense, "vái" can mean to plead or beg someone with great urgency and deference.

2. Interjection (colloquial, often humorous or exasperated):

   • An expression of surrender or strong plea: Used to exclaim "I give up!" or "I beg you!" to emphasize a request or to show that one is overwhelmed.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Người dân vái trước bàn thờ. (The people bowed before the altar.)
  • Cô ấy vái tôi xin đừng nói nữa. (She begged me earnestly to stop talking.)

• Interjection:

  • Vái cả sáu phương! Tôi chịu thua. (I give up! I surrender.)
  • Vái bạn, hãy im lặng đi! (I'm begging you, please be quiet!)

Advanced Usage

• "vái lạy": to bow and prostrate repeatedly; indicates an even higher degree of reverence or desperate begging.
  • Bà cụ vái lạy tạ ơn trời đất. (The old lady bowed repeatedly to give thanks to heaven and earth.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lạy (v): to prostrate oneself, to kowtow; an act of worship or respect even more formal and humble than "vái".

Synonyms

• Worship: to show reverence and adoration.
• Beseech: to ask someone urgently and fervently to do something.
• Implore: to beg someone desperately.

Related Idioms

• Vái cả sáu phương: (literally: to bow to all six directions) An exclamation meaning "I surrender completely" or "I'm at my wit's end."

  • Bài toán này khó quá, vái cả sáu phương! (This math problem is too hard, I give up!)

• Vái tứ phương: Similar to above, meaning to bow to the four directions, expressing a state of being helpless or defeated.

  • Cãi nhau không lại, anh ấy vái tứ phương. (Unable to win the argument, he threw his hands up in defeat.)