I've used this word for many years but starting to wonder if I really know the true meaning.

ความกตัญญู kwam ga dtan yoo

I use to mean 'grateful'. I'm wondering if it has more of a context in the Buddhist religion. I often hear it said by kids talking about their parents and people talking about the king or Thainess.

What's your definition of it?

Edited December 30, 201213 yr by Neeranam

From the Dictionary of Dharma, page 67-68, section 29:

"2. กตัญญูกตเวที (ผู้รู้อุปการะที่เขาทำ แล้วและตอบแทน, ผู้รู้จักคุณค่าแห่งการกระทำ ดีของผู้อื่น และแสดงออกเพื่อบูชาความดีนั้น — * * * one who is grateful and

repays the done favour; grateful person)"

page 276, section 353:

"25. กตญฺญุตา (มีความกตัญญู — * * * gratitude)"

Edited December 30, 201213 yr by DavidHouston

From the Dictionary of Dharma, page 67-68, section 29:

"2. กตัญญูกตเวที (ผู้รู้อุปการะที่เขาทำ แล้วและตอบแทน, ผู้รู้จักคุณค่าแห่งการกระทำ ดีของผู้อื่น และแสดงออกเพื่อบูชาความดีนั้น — * * * one who is grateful and

repays the done favour; grateful person)"

page 276, section 353:

"25. กตญฺญุตา (มีความกตัญญู — * * * gratitude)"

Thanks, that's kind of what I was thinking that it involves an action. Anyone can say their grateful but to really have

ความกตัญญู means that you are doing something to show it.

I found these variations: on thai-language.com and thai2english.com ...

ความกตัญญู - hwaam ga dtan yuu - gratitude - thankfullness

ความกตัญญูรู้คุณ - khwaam ga dtan yuu ruu khoon - gratefulness; gratitude

กตัญญูกตเวทิตา - ga dtan yuuk ga dta waeh thi dtaa - the quality of being a grateful person; gratitude; gratefulness

กตัญญูรู้คุณ - ga dtan yuu ruu khoon - [is] grateful, obligated, thankful

รู้สึกขอบคุณ - ruu seuk khaawp khoon - grateful; to feel thankful

I found these variations: on thai-language.com and thai2english.com ...

ความกตัญญู - hwaam ga dtan yuu - gratitude - thankfullness

ความกตัญญูรู้คุณ - khwaam ga dtan yuu ruu khoon - gratefulness; gratitude

กตัญญูกตเวทิตา - ga dtan yuuk ga dta waeh thi dtaa - the quality of being a grateful person; gratitude; gratefulness

กตัญญูรู้คุณ - ga dtan yuu ruu khoon - [is] grateful, obligated, thankful

รู้สึกขอบคุณ - ruu seuk khaawp khoon - grateful; to feel thankful

Thanks - obligated is an interesting word, not how I would translate it.

I found these variations: on thai-language.com and thai2english.com ...

ความกตัญญู - hwaam ga dtan yuu - gratitude - thankfullness

ความกตัญญูรู้คุณ - khwaam ga dtan yuu ruu khoon - gratefulness; gratitude

กตัญญูกตเวทิตา - ga dtan yuuk ga dta waeh thi dtaa - the quality of being a grateful person; gratitude; gratefulness

กตัญญูรู้คุณ - ga dtan yuu ruu khoon - [is] grateful, obligated, thankful

รู้สึกขอบคุณ - ruu seuk khaawp khoon - grateful; to feel thankful

Thanks - obligated is an interesting word, not how I would translate it.

The problem with the assigned English words is that they come from context, here is the opposite word in context.

เขาไม่เคยแสดงความอกตัญญูต่อมหราชของไทยพระองค์นั้น

He had never shown ingratitude towards that Thai king. It wouldn't be wrong to say lack of obligation towards that Thai King.

kwaam ga dtan yuu

i understand it too mean when referring too parents

as too take care of them

kwaam ga dtan yuu

i understand it too mean when referring too parents

as too take care of them

That's how I see it too. Looking after your parents is a case of กตัญญุตา. The story of being a person who appreciates the things which parents did for them. I think ความกตัญญู means the same. แสดงความกตัญญูกตเวที describes the whole business of being grateful and reciprocating I think. I have only encountered the antonym recently which I have quoted.