vái
Definition
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.
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.)