You all probably know the expression "som num naa" which i understand to mean something like "serves you right". Sorry i don't know the Thai spelling.

Well i'd like to know the actual meaning of the words in the expression, and also whether one can correctly use it in reference to a third party...in other words, like "serves him right"....and would it be said the same exactly.

Thanxalot John

สมน้ำหน้า 'Suitable for the likes of you/him/her/them'. In other words, yes, the same phrase can be used of a third party, and it would sound exactly sound the same.

som = be suitable

nam naa = the likes of you (literally 'water face').

We had a thread about this not too long ago, I will see if I can dig it up. Som Nam Naa

Unique Thai expressions

Thankyou Sweetballs,

I should have looked.....

Actually I did just look and found something a bit different that looks pretty authoritative.....

http://www.thai-language.com/id/209266

The only important difference is the explanations for the two last words of the expression. I think you need to look at 'nam naa' as a whole, set expression in order to understand what it means. The separate definitions of the words at that URL do not make sense together.

Apart from that, '(to) serve somebody right' is the most idiomatic translation of all three in combination, for sure.

http://www.thai2english.com/dictionary/458.html makes a bit more sense. thai2english.com is usually the most reliable online source.

Just be careful using the phrase :-)

The only important difference is the explanations for the two last words of the expression. I think you need to look at 'nam naa' as a whole, set expression in order to understand what it means. The separate definitions of the words at that URL do not make sense together.

Apart from that, '(to) serve somebody right' is the most idiomatic translation of all three in combination, for sure.

http://www.thai2english.com/dictionary/458.html makes a bit more sense. thai2english.com is usually the most reliable online source.

Thanks. I checked that out, but fail to see a great discrepancy. The pertinent definition it gives for "nam naa" is: [N] someone like you

That thai-language.com site gives a definition of "nam" as the essence of the matter - which in the case of this expression, is in fact "someone like you."

You all probably know the expression "som num naa" which i understand to mean something like "serves you right". Sorry i don't know the Thai spelling.

Well i'd like to know the actual meaning of the words in the expression, and also whether one can correctly use it in reference to a third party...in other words, like "serves him right"....and would it be said the same exactly.

Thanxalot John

In many years in Thailand, on a spoken level, I have mostly heard this in exactly the context you mentioned "serves you right" or "serves him right" said exactly the same way. I have always heard it used to mean the object of discussion "got what he/she deserved." Linguistically, I'm not sure, and as the wife is asleep, will not ask

You all probably know the expression "som num naa" which i understand to mean something like "serves you right". Sorry i don't know the Thai spelling.

Well i'd like to know the actual meaning of the words in the expression, and also whether one can correctly use it in reference to a third party...in other words, like "serves him right"....and would it be said the same exactly.

Thanxalot John

In many years in Thailand, on a spoken level, I have mostly heard this in exactly the context you mentioned "serves you right" or "serves him right" said exactly the same way. I have always heard it used to mean the object of discussion "got what he/she deserved." Linguistically, I'm not sure, and as the wife is asleep, will not ask

I think we can rest assured that everyone knows what it means. The only linguistic curiosity regards the pairing of the final two syllables as one word.

Som Nam Na is almost ALWAYS used in regards to a 3rd party if it is actually meant ... and only used with friends carefully and with humor in your face and heart!

Hi,

this phrase has interested me forever. I also did some "research" into it.

Nam Naa is actually the coconut milk put on Khanom Chin. It is considered the best part of the dish.

Som means appropriate.

Som Nam Naa is often used in situations where somebody thought to get something better (the coconut milk in addition to the soup on Khanom Chin), but the whole thing turned sour. The meaning how I understand it is therefore: there you go with your coconut milk!

Som Nam Na is almost ALWAYS used in regards to a 3rd party if it is actually meant ... and only used with friends carefully and with humor in your face and heart!

I have been led to believe that it is a criticism spoken by a third prty and generally not a polite one at that.

EG.

If one teenager is being told of by his father for bad behaviour, his sibling or mother might use the phrase "som num nah" to re-iterate (rub in) the criticism or even as a tool of ridicule.

A bit like "I told you so." or "How could you be so stupid?"

Cheers,

Soundman.