わい

See also: ワイ

Japanese

Etymology 1

Generally regarded as a shift from わし (washi), itself from 私 (watashi, “I, me”). First cited in a text from 1920, but likely older.

The second-person sense of you likely arose via the same general indirection mechanisms that gave rise to all Japanese personal pronouns. Consider also ancient 汝 (na) or more modern 己 (onore), used for both first- and second-person referral. This usage is first cited in a text from 1923, but is likely older.

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) わい [wàí] (Heiban – [0])
• IPA^(key): [ɰᵝa̠i]

Pronoun

わい • (wai) 

1. (dialect, Kansai, Kagoshima) I, me (first-person pronoun, mainly used by males)
2. you (second-person pronoun, used when addressing an equal or inferior)

   Synonym: お前 (omae)

Etymology 2

Particle

わい • (wai) 

1. (dated) A particle used in the end of sentences to indicate admiration or emotion. Slightly stronger than わ (wa).

Usage notes

Mainly used during the Edo period. Now only used by elderly males.

Etymology 3

Various Sino-Japanese roots.

Affix

わい • (wai) 

1. 歪: askew; crooked
2. 猥: obscene; lewd
3. 隈: corner; nook; recess; inlet
4. 矮: low; short
5. 賄: bribe
6. 穢: dirty