เซ่นไหว้
make offerings to (ancestors, spirits, or deities)
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 make offerings to (ancestors, spirits, or deities)
It means honoring ancestors, spirits, or deities with offerings.
make offerings to (ancestors, spirits, or deities)
It describes making offerings as an act of reverence toward ancestors, spirits, or deities.
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เขานำอาหารมาเซ่นไหว้เจ้าที่ khǎw nam aahǎan maa sênwâay câwthîi They brought food to offer to the guardian spirit of the place. เขานำอาหารมาเซ่นไหว้เจ้าที่ details
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ครอบครัวเราเซ่นไหว้บรรพบุรุษในวันตรุษจีน khrɔ̂ɔpkhrua raw sênwâay banphabùrùt nay wan trùtciin Our family makes offerings to our ancestors at Chinese New Year. ครอบครัวเราเซ่นไหว้บรรพบุรุษในวันตรุษจีน details
Learning notes
Explanation
เซ่น refers to presenting offerings to spirits, while ไหว้ refers to a respectful gesture or an act of worship. Together, they describe worship that involves offerings. The recipient commonly follows the verb: เซ่นไหว้บรรพบุรุษ means “make offerings to one's ancestors,” and เซ่นไหว้เจ้าที่ means “make offerings to the guardian spirit of a place.” Offerings may include prepared food, fruit, drinks, flowers, or incense, depending on the tradition. The purpose may be to show respect or gratitude, seek protection, or appease spirits. The word is not restricted to one religion.
Usage
You will encounter this word in descriptions of ancestor offerings at Chinese New Year or Qingming, offerings at spirit houses, and rituals seeking spiritual protection. It appears in everyday conversation and reporting, including discussions about preparing offerings.
Caution
This word does not necessarily imply an animal sacrifice; ordinary food and other offerings are common. It is also more specific than praying or visiting a shrine. For presenting food or goods to monks, ถวาย is normally used. Do not use เซ่นไหว้ for an ordinary wai greeting to a living elder.
Differences from similar words
1 make offerings to (ancestors, spirits, or deities) synonyms
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บูชา broadly means to worship or venerate. เซ่นไหว้ focuses on the specific act of honoring spiritual beings with offerings.
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ไหว้ covers a respectful wai greeting or an act of worship and does not necessarily involve offerings. เซ่นไหว้ specifically involves offerings to ancestors, spirits, or deities.