พนมมือ
press one's palms together
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 press one's palms together
It means to bring your palms together with your fingers pointing upward, typically to show respect or pray.
press one's palms together
It describes the physical gesture of holding your palms together with your fingers pointing upward.
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เด็ก ๆ พนมมือรับพรจากผู้ใหญ่ dèk dèk phanom mʉʉ ráp phɔɔn càak phûu yày The children press their palms together to receive blessings from their elders. เด็ก ๆ พนมมือรับพรจากผู้ใหญ่ details
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นักเรียนพนมมือไหว้คุณครู nákrian phanom mʉʉ wâay khun khruu The student greets the teacher with their palms pressed together. นักเรียนพนมมือไหว้คุณครู details
Learning notes
Explanation
The focus is on the position of the hands. The gesture can accompany respect, prayer, or a plea, depending on the context. It does not necessarily include bowing. Another verb often follows to explain the purpose: พนมมือไหว้ means to bring your palms together to perform a wai, and พนมมือสวดมนต์ means to chant prayers with your palms together. The hands may be held at chest level or higher; the word itself does not specify their height. It is common in ceremonial instructions and descriptions of respectful gestures, but is also used outside religious settings.
Usage
Used when describing prayer or chanting at a temple, asking participants in a ceremony to bring their palms together, or teaching the hand gesture for a wai. It can also describe someone pressing their palms together while pleading for help.
Caution
This refers to palms held together, not interlaced fingers or clapping. Do not place the person being greeted directly after พนมมือ: use ไหว้ครู or พนมมือไหว้ครู for performing a wai to a teacher.
Differences from similar words
1 press one's palms together synonyms
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ประนมมือ also means to bring your palms together and often appears in ceremonial instructions or formal writing. Its meaning is essentially the same as พนมมือ.
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ไหว้ means to perform a wai as a greeting or gesture of respect. พนมมือ focuses on bringing the palms together, rather than the social purpose of the gesture.