Thailand Culture

Archive for August, 2008

As with How to Say I in Thai, there are several ways to say the word You in Thai. Below are some common ways to say the word You in the Thai Language.

KHUN (คุณ) You

This corresponds to POM and DICHUN and can be used by either males or females. KHUN is used superfluously in the Thai Language because it is one of the least likely to offend anyone. Most Thai People would like to be called KHUN. In fact, the word KHUN is put in front of any Thai person’s name to make it more polite in the Thai Language.

It is generally used amongst intimates and is a good polite word to use to superiors. KHUN is the pronoun most commonly heard in any conversation in the Thai Language and can be used in either the 2nd. or 3rd. person. As it indicates considerable personal respect, you usually would not use it to inferiors.

Thai men often use the word KHUN when talking to most people even if they are a little inferior. That is because using other words can sometimes be mistaken as sexual harassment or sexual advancement. For example, if a Thai man uses the word TER to refer to a Thai lady, she could be offended thinking that he does not respect her as much and trying to be close to her than necessary. KHUN is more polite and safe for a man to use to refer to a woman.

Using the word KHUN infront of any person’s name, meaning Mr., Miss, Ms, Mrs…

KHUN is a polite word meaning ‘you’. But, KHUN is also used in front of any Thai names.

For example, if a man’s name is Prakit. To be polite to Prakit, you should call him KHUN Prakit. This is equivalent to calling him Mr. Prakit.

Another example is, if a woman is called Suda. Her teacher or parents can call her Suda. Her boss and male colleagues should call her KHUN Suda to be polite to her. This is equivalent to calling her Ms. Suda. KHUN, in the Thai Language, does not distinguish between Mrs., Miss, or Ms.

TAHN (ท่าน) You

This word, TAHN in the Thai Language, can be used as a 2nd. or 3rd. person pronoun by either males or females. TAHN is a polite word and would be used in conversation by a Thai only when speaking to someone of high rank. For example, a servant may refer to his or her master as TAHN. In the written Thai Language however it is the ordinary word to use for you. It shows respect for rank rather than personal respect. In old Thai movies, you will hear the word TAHN a lot along with the word KAH, KAHPAJOW, and even GOO.

TER (เธอ) You

TER is a very familiar form of address used mainly by women talking to each other, a man talking to his wife or girl friend or when talking to small children. It is also used a 3rd. person pronoun under the same conditions.

Usually a man will not use the word TER to talk to a woman unless he is very friendly with her. A man would be safer to refer to a woman using the word KHUN in the Thai Language. TER is absolutely cannot be used when talking to elder people or people of a higher status.

MEUNG (มึง) You

This is another very low word in the Thai Language which you should never use although you will sometimes hear Thai People use it to very intimate friends. When someone is referring to himself as GOO, you will often hear him call his friends MEUNG. If a friend is calling another friend MEUNG, he will refer to himself as GOO or KAH. When friends are talking this way, it is funny to listen. If not used with extremely good friends, it is very rude to use MEUNG.

MEUNG is a normal word in the old Thai Language. MEUNG, GOO, and KAH weren’t as rude words then. So, in old Thai movies, you will hear GOO, MEUNG, and KAH a lot. GOO and MEUNG are more offensive than KAH.