This is the 686th most frequent Romanian word.
pai
The Romanian word "pai" means "straw" (a thin, dry stalk of plants or a drinking straw).
Here, 'păi' is used as an interjection or discourse marker to introduce an explanation or clarification, similar to 'well' in English.
Păi, dacă ai întrebat, îți voi răspunde.
Well, since you asked, I will answer.
In this context, 'pai' refers to a straw, a utensil used for sipping liquids.
Am băut toată limonada cu paiul.
I drank all the lemonade with the straw.
Here, 'pai' refers to literal straw, using it in a simile to describe someone's hair texture.