The usage of meung and why is it offensive.

[ultimate weapon]

In thai language it just simply means "you" or so i heard. It's like an offensive way to refer to a person as "you"

Is there a deeper meaning to it?

I mean why are ppl offended by it?

How do young thai kids learn this word.

[KhunBENQ]

Can not help with deeper insight.

thai-language.com has more insulting words around มึง (mueng).

http://www.thai-language.com/id/131205

What a selection of pronouns:

http://www.thai-language.com/id/589867

To my knowledge also very insulting to refer to humans as มัน (man) usually for animals or "things".

Edited March 1, 2014 by KhunBENQ

[richard_smith237]

It depends on context...

When you are referenced to as Mueng by a close friend in a joking manner its harmless.

When you are referenced to as Mueng by someone else, or not in a joking manner is an insult.

Mueng is the word used for something 'sub-human' such as Soi Dogs and Other animals, vermin etc...

Take it how you like - some people look too hard for insults, others pull the wool over their own eyes and fail to recognise or can't believe when they are being treated disrespectfully or being taken for a mug.

As a rule of thumb - If someone you know well is using it and smiling or talking of something lightly, then its safe to say there is no insult intended and its use is endearing (much in the same way we may refer to our closest friends sometimes in a rather derogatory manner)...

Its use at any other time or by someone you don't know then they are deliberately choosing to show disrespect.

[David48]

MissFarmGirl says ... 'rude word' ... but also fun word when said amongst friends or siblings.

[Briggsy]

For the same reason you can say, "It's f***ing hot!" to your mate but not to your mother. Some things are appropriate in certain situations only.

[ultimate weapon]

It depends on context...

When you are referenced to as Mueng by a close friend in a joking manner its harmless.

When you are referenced to as Mueng by someone else, or not in a joking manner is an insult.

Mueng is the word used for something 'sub-human' such as Soi Dogs and Other animals, vermin etc...

Take it how you like - some people look too hard for insults, others pull the wool over their own eyes and fail to recognise or can't believe when they are being treated disrespectfully or being taken for a mug.

As a rule of thumb - If someone you know well is using it and smiling or talking of something lightly, then its safe to say there is no insult intended and its use is endearing (much in the same way we may refer to our closest friends sometimes in a rather derogatory manner)...

Its use at any other time or by someone you don't know then they are deliberately choosing to show disrespect.

The friend context shouldn't be mentioned cos one is always close to friends so he can say profanities and make jokes about his mother etc and they wouldn't take offence vs a stranger or a boss for example.

The example you gave about referring someone as sub human is more helpful. I didn't know that different words in thai referring to the same subject could have totally different meanings. Like meung just means you but offensive in thai and i don't think you could find an english equivalent to this.

[Ajaan]

In all languages, the words we use in intimate contexts are the same ones we use to hurt and offend. Think about bedroom room talk with your lover, "I'm gonna <removed> you so hard," etc., versus walking up to some huge, muscled, tattooed lug in a Pattaya bar and saying "<removed> you!" Or calling your daughter "honey," versus addressing an adult female you don't know that way. Human communication is all about context, the language doesn't matter.

[ultimate weapon]

The fact of the matter is meung is considered a word to insult just like "f__k" Yes it won't sound offensive if used amongst friends but it still doesn't explain the word.

Ajaan what if i used the same explaination on the word f__k as you did here.

[David48]

The fact of the matter is meung is considered a word to insult just like "f__k" Yes it won't sound offensive if used amongst friends but it still doesn't explain the word.

Ajaan what if i used the same explaination on the word f__k as you did here.

You are asking us, some of us native Thai Speakers, a question ... then trying to give the answer ...

Since we are on a 'Language Forum' ... 'explaination' is spelt 'explanation' ...

[Richard W]

Historically, it seems to be a more extreme case of the tu/vous distinction (and similar) of much of Europe. However, it is at least tempered by the use of the 'tu' form for God, and the use of 'thee' in English is now generally seen as quaint rather than as lacking in respect. What pronoun do Thai worshippers of the god of Abraham use for God?

[Briggsy]

Historically, it seems to be a more extreme case of the tu/vous distinction (and similar) of much of Europe. However, it is at least tempered by the use of the 'tu' form for God, and the use of 'thee' in English is now generally seen as quaint rather than as lacking in respect. What pronoun do Thai worshippers of the god of Abraham use for God?

พระองค์

[orpheus454]

Historically, it seems to be a more extreme case of the tu/vous distinction (and similar) of much of Europe. However, it is at least tempered by the use of the 'tu' form for God, and the use of 'thee' in English is now generally seen as quaint rather than as lacking in respect. What pronoun do Thai worshippers of the god of Abraham use for God?

พระองค์

I don't know any Thai worshippers of the god of Abraham, but wouldn't they use พระเจ้า ?