tai chi v. chai tea

Tai chi, rendered in full as t’ai chi ch’uan (translation: supreme ultimate fist), is a Chinese meditative exercise and soft martial art form focused on maintaining physical and mental health, and characterized by slow, methodical movements.

Chai is the word for ‘tea’ in various South Asian launguages. For many English speakers, however, it specifically implies masala chai, an aromatic Indian beverage made with spiced black tea, milk, and sugar or honey.