davai

Estonian

Alternative forms

• tavai

Etymology

Borrowed from Russian дава́й (daváj).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tɑˈvɑi̯/, [tɑˈvɑi̯]
• IPA^(key): /d̥ɑˈvɑi̯/, [d̥ɑˈvɑi̯]

Interjection

davai

1. (colloquial) c'mon!, let's go! (expression of encouragement, cheer)

Further reading

• davai in Sõnaveeb (Eesti Keele Instituut)

Ingrian

Etymology

Borrowed from Russian давай (davaj). Akin to dialectal Finnish tavai.

Pronunciation

• (Ala-Laukaa) IPA^(key): /ˈdɑʋɑi̯/, [ˈdɑʋɑi̯]
• (Soikkola) IPA^(key): /ˈdɑʋɑi̯/, [ˈtɑʋɑˑiˑ]
• Rhymes: -ɑʋɑi̯
• Hyphenation: da‧vai

Particle

davai

1. Used to denote the beginning of an action: off you go

   Mees lankeis maaha i davai nagramaa. ― The man fell to the ground and off he went laughing.

References

• Ruben E. Nirvi (1971), Inkeroismurteiden Sanakirja, Helsinki: Suomalais-Ugrilainen Seura, page 577
• Arvo Laanest (1978), Isuri keele ajalooline foneetika ja morfoloogia [The historical phonology and morphology of the Ingrian language]‎, Tallinn, page 26

Lithuanian

Etymology

Borrowed from Russian дава́й (daváj).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dɐˈʋaɪ̯/, /daˈʋaɪ̯/

Interjection

davái (colloquial)

1. c'mon!, let's go!
2. (regional) bye, see ya

   Synonym: viso gero

References

• “davai”, in Lietuvių kalbos žodynas [Dictionary of the Lithuanian language], lkz.lt, 1941–2025

Russenorsk

Alternative forms

• davaj
• no davaj, no davoj

Etymology

From Russian давай (davaj).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /davɑːj/, /dɐˈvaj/

Interjection

davai

1. c'mon, let's, please

   Davai pæsna

   Please, sing!

   Davai paa moja skip kjai drikkom

   C'mon, let's drink tea on my ship

References

• Ingvild Broch; Ernst H. Jahr (1984), Russenorsk: Et pidginspråk i Norge [Russenorsk: A pidgin language in Norway], 2 edition, Oslo: Novus Forlag