Thai Sayings and Phrases Wanted

[mangkorn]

...the fish dies in shallow water, the large fish should swim in deep water, it's blundered if it strays into shallow water, likewise an important person makes a careless error which can cause a large loss.

The Nation also cited that saying in an editorial the other day - in reference to Thaksin's hubris of dropping the bribe on the court, and his handpicked henchman's shady deal over Preah Vihear (quid pro quo for Cambodian approval of Thaksin's gambling resort plans) - to make the point that the bossman may have unwillingly given Samak the high road to stay in the big chair, just when Thaksin was trying to push him out.

So it seems to be a popular saying at the moment.

[bannork]

ปลาตายน้ำตื้น-the fish dies in shallow water, the large fish should swim in deep water, it's blundered if it strays into shallow water, likewise an important person makes a careless error which can cause a large loss.

Baanork,

I thank you for the saying above. It surfaced again in a scholarly article regarding the various agreements and treaties involved in the Phra Wiharn dispute:

ที่ต้องเน้นก็เพราะต้องการให้ผู้ใหญ่ในบ้านเมืองซึ่งตามกฎหมายระหว่างประเทศถือว่าเป็นผู้แทนรัฐไทย อย่าไปพูดรับปากใครง่ายๆ ตามประสาปากไว เพราะปลาใหญ่อาจตายน้ำตื้นได้!

My translation based on your explanation:

"We must stress (this idea) because we want the senior members of our administration who, according to international law, are considered as representatives of the Thai state, not to agree with anyone too easily. (This is) because "if an important person makes a careless error, the consequences can be deleterious."

In addition, I would like to understand the phrase "ตามประสาปากไว" used in the above quotation. I cannot find it in the dictionaries that I have nor does it appear in many Google references.

Thanks again for your input.

No Thai keyboard here but David I would say dtam brasar means 'as is their nature,wont, as is their way, nature' whilst bak wai means speak before thinking something through first so together it could mean something like as' is the nature of glib speakers'.

It's not quite right though,'bak wai' has further meanings.

bannork

[desi]

I don't know if this page has been shared before...

Thai Proverbs from WikiQuote

[bannork]

ถอยหลังเข้าคลอง to reverse into the canal, the more you do something, the worse it gets, to worsen, exacerbate a situation.

[bebexoxo]

Does anybody know the thai script for "conquer all lifes flaws"? or something really similar to that?

[Jeddah Jo]

Anyone heard this before, a Thai girl was trying to teach it to me today. Not sure I have remembered all of it.

ถ่มน้ำลายขึ้นฝ้าลดหน้าตัวเก็แล้ว

tom naam lai keun faa lot naa dtua gor laew

With a meaning something like, spit to the ceiling and it will fall back down on your face.

I am not quite sure what the English idiom is, but maybe something like a bad action coming back to haunt you.

(Actually thinking about it, it may have something more to do with gossipping, like spraying bad words about but don't know an equivalent English idiom).

JJ.

Edited August 4, 2008 by Jeddah Jo

[mangkorn]

I am not quite sure what the English idiom is, but maybe something like a bad action coming back to haunt you.

(Actually thinking about it, it may have something more to do with gossipping, like spraying bad words about but don't know an equivalent English idiom).

JJ.

A close translation could be: "Don't spit into the wind."

Another idiom would be: "What goes around, comes around."

[Koronie]

Anyone heard this before, a Thai girl was trying to teach it to me today. Not sure I have remembered all of it.

ถ่มน้ำลายขึ้นฝ้าลดหน้าตัวเก็แล้ว

tom naam lai keun faa lot naa dtua gor laew

With a meaning something like, spit to the ceiling and it will fall back down on your face.

I am not quite sure what the English idiom is, but maybe something like a bad action coming back to haunt you.

(Actually thinking about it, it may have something more to do with gossipping, like spraying bad words about but don't know an equivalent English idiom).

JJ.

Hi, It may be..."To hurt what is superior to you-You will be hurt instead"

Cheers,

[coalminer]

Today, while discussing with my wife about the homework from our daughter (splitting words thread), my wife answered:

"The answers you got from everybody are 50% wrong and 50% right."

"A man has 2 legs and make accidents (fall). A buffalo has 4 legs and also make accidents (fall)"

Anybody heard of this before?

[yoot]

Today, while discussing with my wife about the homework from our daughter (splitting words thread), my wife answered:

"The answers you got from everybody are 50% wrong and 50% right."

"A man has 2 legs and make accidents (fall). A buffalo has 4 legs and also make accidents (fall)"

Anybody heard of this before?

The Thai saying is "สี่ตีนยังรู้พลาด นักปราชญ์ยังรู้พลั้ง" which means "every can make mistake".

[yoot]

Corrections:

"สี่ตีนยังรู้พลาด นักปราชญ์ยังรู้พลั้ง" - "everyone [or anyone] can make a mistake".

A parallel saying in English for this Thai saying - "to err is human; to forgive is divine".

Thanks, Khun David for your correction plus a parallel saying in English.

[sayajay]

Does anyone know the Thai equivalent of the English idiom: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

I've been searching the net for some time, but haven't had much luck

[bannork]

Does anyone know the Thai equivalent of the English idiom: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

I've been searching the net for some time, but haven't had much luck

I can't think of any exact equivalent, but the following conveys the impression that words cannot harm:

คำไม่สะทกสะทาน or คำไม่ระคายผิว words don't bother me or irritate my skin!

Here's a rather strong idiom to be offered as advice to a vain egoist. A Thai friend used this remark when we were talking about the photo copy operator who despite being plain, dull and lazy, insisted on chatting up every woman who had the misfortune to have to use his services. He had no chance-

ตักน้ำใส่กะโหลกชะโงกดูเงา pour some water into the skull and peer into the reflection- time for some self evaluation!

Edited September 25, 2008 by bannork

[bannork]

My, mistake, กะโหลก here doesn't mean skull, rather it refers to coconut shells or containers for water pre- plastic. And of course in the past the common people had no mirrors so the only way to see your reflection was to peer into water.

[coalminer]

In my country, where we still have graveyards, we use to say to people who think that the whole world stand or fall with them, "lot's of people in the graveyard once taught they were indispensable".

Do the Thais have a similar saying?

[tgeezer]

My, mistake, กะโหลก here doesn't mean skull, rather it refers to coconut shells or containers for water pre- plastic. And of course in the past the common people had no mirrors so the only way to see your reflection was to peer into water.

I think you are right, it implies that there is room for water in there. The RID has กระดูกที่หุ้มมันสมอง

[bannork]

I saw ขัดตาทัพ in the paper the other day meaning 'second best, do for now till the real item comes along. They were talking about Suchart being the leader of เพื่อไทย until the 'real one' takes his place.

[bannork]

In my country, where we still have graveyards, we use to say to people who think that the whole world stand or fall with them, "lot's of people in the graveyard once taught they were indispensable".

Do the Thais have a similar saying?

This phrase doesn't exactly match yours as it doesn't refer to people's vanity, rather it makes the point we are not long on this earth ชีวิตไม่จีรังยั่งยืน

[tgeezer]

In my country, where we still have graveyards, we use to say to people who think that the whole world stand or fall with them, "lot's of people in the graveyard once taught they were indispensable".

Do the Thais have a similar saying?

This phrase doesn't exactly match yours as it doesn't refer to people's vanity, rather it makes the point we are not long on this earth ชีวิตไม่จีรังยั่งยืน

I think that I have possibly found a good one: I looked up กะลา which is the another word for กะโหลก and found that it is impolite to say กะลาสรีษะ hence the term ไมเจียมกะลาหัว which may be the application in your case (could be ignorance rather than vanity) because เจียม means รูจักประมาณตัว and ประมาณตัว means สำนึกในฐานะ and สำนึก means รู้ตัวว่าผิดแล้วไม่คิดจะทำต่อไป :

the negatives don't seem to add up quite but I think the gist of it is there. The similar impolite expression is คุ้มกะลาหัว what about using that มวกคุ้มกะลาหัว referring to a motorcyclist's helmet? Rude enough? Please remember that if I knew I wouldn't be asking and if I didn't make mistakes I wouldn't be learning. Thanks

Edited November 25, 2008 by tgeezer

[Luukhin]

Have you guys heard of ตักบาตรอย่าถามพระ?

[bannork]

Have you guys heard of ตักบาตรอย่าถามพระ?

It's common but I'm not sure I've grasped the meaning. I think it means if you give something then give it wholeheartedly, don't ask the monk if he likes the chicken curry you've given him, don't ask your wife if she likes the dress you bought her.

It seems to be a lesson on manners or etiquette.

[5tash]

Have you guys heard of ตักบาตรอย่าถามพระ?

It's common but I'm not sure I've grasped the meaning. I think it means if you give something then give it wholeheartedly, don't ask the monk if he likes the chicken curry you've given him, don't ask your wife if she likes the dress you bought her.

It seems to be a lesson on manners or etiquette.

I think you are correct with the meaning Bannork. Here's the definition they give over at guru.sanook.com

ตักบาตรอย่าถามพระ

ความหมาย

(สํา) ก. จะให้อะไรแก่ผู้ที่เต็มใจรับอยู่แล้ว ไม่ควรถาม

I notice the same definition is also given in the RID.

Edited December 1, 2008 by 5tash

[meadish_sweetball]

จะให้อะไรแก่ผู้ที่เต็มใจรับอยู่แล้ว ไม่ควรถาม

From this I get:

'If you are giving something to somebody who already accepts it wholeheartedly, you should not ask.'

So am I correct then in assuming that the question which should not be asked is: 'Do you like/want it'?

[5tash]

I found this explanation on the net:

"When serving food to monks, don't ask. (ตักบาตรอย่าถามพระ)" -- In our Buddhist society, every morning the monks walk to people's homes. People show kindness by offering them food. Thais always say not to ask the monk what food he prefers as monks cannot be selective about what they eat. Whatever is edible and offered, the monks is obliged to accept, whether it is appropriate to offer foods or help.

[CSS]

จะให้อะไรแก่ผู้ที่เต็มใจรับอยู่แล้ว ไม่ควรถาม

From this I get:

'If you are giving something to somebody who already accepts it wholeheartedly, you should not ask.'

So am I correct then in assuming that the question which should not be asked is: 'Do you like/want it'?

That's my impression, though I think it is more in line with "Do you want it?" than "Do you like it?"

I notice this in Thai hospitality a lot also. When entering a home as a guest in the US the host may ask you if you want something to drink. This can cause the guest to feel like they shouldn't impose and decline even if they are thirsty (an instance of grang jai in the US). However, the practice does prevent waste and prevents forcing things upon the guest that they don't want. Whereas, I find that in Thailand food or beverage is simply brought to you without asking. Thus the guest doesn't feel like they are imposing themselves by requesting it, or even saying they would like it, which would then put the social pressure on the host to bring it. However, they may end up with something they don't want, or whatever was brought may be wasted.

[Luukhin]

I often say "นี่ ตักบาตรอย่าถามพระได้มั๊ย ก็รู้ ๆ อยู่" to my friends when they ask me whether I want something that they know that I want. It is a very common expression. What about ราศีจับ/ราศีเุ้ถ้าแก่ or เถ้าแก่เนี้ยจับ?

[bannork]

I often say "นี่ ตักบาตรอย่าถามพระได้มั๊ย ก็รู้ ๆ อยู่" to my friends when they ask me whether I want something that they know that I want. It is a very common expression. What about ราศีจับ/ราศีเุ้ถ้าแก่ or เถ้าแก่เนี้ยจับ?

Becoming rich, the second one is the male, millionaire, whilst the third is the female, a millionairess, alas if only it was true.

[DavidHouston]

From the current news:

นอกจากนั้น การอนุมัติเงินจำนวน 100,000 ล้านบาท เพื่ออัดฉีดและกระตุ้นทางเศรษฐกิจ ซึ่งพรรคประชาธิปัตย์เคยวิพากษ์ว่าเป็นการตำน้ำพริกละลายแม่น้ำ และเป็นนโยบายประชานิยมจะทำอย่างไร

"In addition, there is the matter of allowing the infusion of 100 billion baht to stimulate the economy which the Democrats have criticized as being similar to pouring salt into the ocean. Furthermore, they are coping with how to apply populist policies."

Note the phrase, "ตำน้ำพริกละลายแม่น้ำ", literally, "to make pepper sauce and pour it into the river", a metaphor of extreme dilution. In English do we say "pouring salt into the ocean" or do we have other similes and metaphors?

Thanks.

[bannork]

From the current news:

นอกจากนั้น การอนุมัติเงินจำนวน 100,000 ล้านบาท เพื่ออัดฉีดและกระตุ้นทางเศรษฐกิจ ซึ่งพรรคประชาธิปัตย์เคยวิพากษ์ว่าเป็นการตำน้ำพริกละลายแม่น้ำ และเป็นนโยบายประชานิยมจะทำอย่างไร

"In addition, there is the matter of allowing the infusion of 100 billion baht to stimulate the economy which the Democrats have criticized as being similar to pouring salt into the ocean. Furthermore, they are coping with how to apply populist policies."

Note the phrase, "ตำน้ำพริกละลายแม่น้ำ", literally, "to make pepper sauce and pour it into the river", a metaphor of extreme dilution. In English do we say "pouring salt into the ocean" or do we have other similes and metaphors?

Thanks.

From what I know the phrase means to spend a lot of money without any benefit so I would think 'to pour money down the drain' would be a fair approximation.

[mangkorn]

It may not only refer to spending money, but perhaps also time, effort, etc. If so, "pissing in the ocean?"