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Culture and festivals

Pour water for a blessing in Thai

“Pour water for a blessing” in Thai is รดน้ำดำหัวrót-náam-dam-hǔa.

รดน้ำดำหัว rót-náam-dam-hǔa

to pour water over an elder's hands for a blessing (Songkran) verb

  • rót high
  • náam high
  • dam mid
  • hǔa rising
  • High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
  • Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
Parts: รดrót to pour (water) over น้ำnáam water ดำหัวdam-hǔa to wash the hair (an old Northern word)

You kneel and pour scented water over the elder's hands, and they wish you a long and happy year.

Taught in Unit 19 · Lesson 1: New Year at the temple of the free course.

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Other spellings you'll see

There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:

  • rot nam dam hua
  • rod nam dam hua

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Learn this word in Unit 19, free

Unit 19 · Songkran! · New Year at the temple. Short lessons with audio for every word, speaking practice and spaced review. No sign-up needed.

Practise it free (2 min) See Unit 19

Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones