some Thai Words of "family"

[mnmn]

In thai, they have one word for people on the father's side and another for the mother's side. The word also tells you whether they are older or younger than your parents.

 

Father's side:

Grandfather:pu

Grandmother:ya

Uncle (elder brother of father):lung

Aunt (elder sister of father):pa

Father:phor

Uncle, Aunt (younger brother or sister of father):are

 

Mother's side:

Grandfather: dta

Grandmother:yai

Uncle (elder brother of mother):lung

Aunt (elder sister of mother):pa

Mother:mae

Uncle, Aunt (younger brother or sister of mother):na

 

husband: sa-mee

wife: pan ra ya

son: luk chai

daughter: luk sao

Brother (older):pee chai

Brother (younger):nong chai

Sister (older):pee sao

Sister (younger):nong sao

 

Wow , so many words , hope I can remember them...

[Slacker]

I think I've got a longer list than this somewhere ! However, there are too many other useful words and phrases to learn before getting bogged-down with all these. Just remember the basics - คุณ (Khun) can mean 'you' or be used as a more polite form before their name (if known) as the equivalent of Mr or Mrs. You can also use the words พี่ (Pee) or น้อง (Norng) to address people older or younger than you (I would defer on the side of safety, especially with women !).

[herds]

i'm kinda embarrassed to admit that i still haven't really got round to properly learning a lot of family names, dumb really as thai's quite like to find out about a speakers family.

[Ajay75]

Its pretty useful to know as Thais often call other thais by these pro-nouns depending on their age even if they are not family. I've used uncle, aunt, mother quite alot with all sorts of people of various ages that I don't know and have been called younger son loads by thais in conversation and being introduced to someone.

[jackieboy]

thought wife was mia

[slick67]

It is, but Panrayaa is more polite.

 

In Isaan Mia is the normal word for wife, but in Thai it's a bit of a rude word.

If you use it, some Thais will probably have their own ideas on where you picked up your Thai.

[OleKingCole]

Please can I ask for the Thai for daughter-in-law i.e. wife of my son

 

It got a bit complex trying to use the term without the word(s)

[Dr.Winston]

Please can I ask for the Thai for daughter-in-law i.e. wife of my son

 

It got a bit complex trying to use the term without the word(s)

Luuk saphai

[OleKingCole]

Luuk saphai

 

Thanks Doc

[Dick Farang]

thought wife was mia

 

Yes, “mia” is what my wife learnt me, and “pooa” for husband.

 

Perhaps, these are the more colloquial words.

 

I guess it is less formal than “spouse” or “consort”.

[El Cata]

Female cousin = Look pee look nong.

 

Male cousin = ?

[slick67]

"Look pee look nong" is the word for cousins in general, just like "Pee nong" is the general word for your siblings.

 

To talk about a specific cousin I usually hear either Pee or Nong, so basically the same words as for a brother or sister, with the age being more important than the gender.