How To Swear In Thai?

[Spit the Dog]

I know that you aren't going to win many Thai friends by swearing in Thai but I wish that the Thais wouldn't swear in English in a bid to impress their farang colleagues. I cringe every time I hear a Thai say 'PASTA''(b*stard) or 'SHEET.' (sh*t) It isn't cool and it's even less cool when they do it.

When Thais swear in English they always emphasize the swear word instead of slipping a swear word into a sentence without anybody f*cking realizing.

[bina]

allai wah= <deleted> or whadyasay? or whaaaaaaaaat??????

alai na= what please?

[meadish_sweetball]

In Thai, signalling emotions and politeness is done with end particles. The same is mainly done by intonation in Indo-European languages.

Hence>

arai = what

arai na = sorry, what's that?

arai wa = what (the hel_l/the fcuck)

It's all in the 'wa' at the end. Apart from this, usually the voice will be more tense and curt when saying 'arai wa'.

[sebastian]

Most thais seem to know how to swear in english, I get called '######ing idiot man' all the time. Can't understand why!!!???

[chokdii2002]

An interesting way of implying dislike with a Thai female is to call her by her mother's name.

But be careful with this one, the odds of having a huge fight on your hands are very high!

[Lacoste]

Its a shame that people actualy respond to threads of this nature never mind instigate them.

Learning to 'swear' in Thai will do you few favours, sure it may be nice to know the words so you can understand when you hear them being used but to learn them to use is just obserd, At best it will make you sound vulger and non endearing to the local folk and at worst you will end up in trouble with the wrong type of people.

No Thai will respect you more if you can use gutter language than if you cannot, infact using this type of speach is a sure way to lose respect not gain it. There are far better things to put your effort in to which will improve your Thai in a positive way.

There is little worse than over hearing a farang speaking very badly pronounced and structured Thai and using this type of language with it, It is just downright cringe worthy especialy when it is clear the speaker does not understand what it is they are actualy saying.

Cheers. Charlie.

[simon43]

There is a big difference between learning to swear (badly) in Thai when you don't really understand the language, and wishing to understand the various different swear words and intensity of them when you can read and write Thai reasonably well!

Many years ago I was fluent in French, (I studied the language to advanced level and worked in France/Belgium for many years). One of my most useful books was a dictionary of French slang and swear words. Not because I had a need to swear all day! But that book gave me a far better understanding of colloquail French and the types of swear words and their usage in the french langiuage.

So - Is there any book/article/document which discusses Thai language slang/swear words? (bearing in mind that usage of slang/swear words becomes outdated very quickly.)

Simon

(Academic interest in this matter, 2 degrees to my name, blah blah blah)

[samran]

Would like to learn how to swear in thai. Some light phrases, and also some harder, when u really mean it. Just dont mix´em up..

Interesting discussion to date.

My best advice is, if you want to learn the bad words, learn the good words first. Learn to be polite in Thai. Too politie almost. Learn to speak a bit formally and realise that there are formal equivalents for gutter words. Make formal speak the thing that comes as second nature to you.

There is nothing worse than hearing a farang having learnt gutter Thai trying to use it in day to day circumstances. You may as well be swearing.

As you learn to speak formally, and get to know people, you'll see what formal words can slip as relationships develop. And it will depend on the relationship. As things progress in a good relationship, the slang and swear words that are acceptable in friendly conversation will slip in, and you'll learn their context for most effective usage.

Having said that, just like in english, if you are in a bind it is usually the eloquent response to a situation that cuts more sharply than blunt swear words, which IMHO are only useful when jesting amongst mates anyway.

[DtingDtong]

I didnt make this post because I want to go around and swear to everyone I meat. I´m trying to learn the language aswell, and tried to be as polite as possible when I spoke the little thai I know. Just thought it would be good to know some of these words, not just for using them myself, but also to understand them when they are spoken by other thaipeople.

Just a thought, maybe it was stupid to bring it up from the beginning. What do I know.

[cooL_guY_corY]

So - Is there any book/article/document which discusses Thai language slang/swear words? (bearing in mind that usage of slang/swear words becomes outdated very quickly.)

===

In a bookstore in Khon Kaen i saw a book like that, it was actually called something like " gay thailand or terms for gay people in thailand) but it was full of thai swearwords

[sabaijai]

The chances of succeeding with that document are pretty slim, unless you can read between the lines and understand what actual sounds they are trying to describe.

It was obviously put together by somebody who doesn't have a full grasp of the terms. There are some amusing style collisions, such as using the polite pronoun khun for you, and daag ling in the same sentence.

Use at your own risk - in the best case scenario people won't understand what you are saying.

I agree, a very poor source chockful of errors of transcription and translation. Surely someone has put together an intelligent list of Thai curses? There are ones foreigners can use, and ones they mostly cannot and I think it's worthwhile learning to distinguish.

I got caught out many years ago when I asked a bilingual Thai friend what the Thai equivalent of 'chicken' was, in the sense of 'cowardly'. He told me to use [F]naa [M]tua [M]mia, but neglected to tell me just how serious a curse it was, much more akin to 'p**sy' than 'chicken'. Made a fool of myself shortly thereafter, haven't used it since.

[mittheimp]

Learning thai swear words is perfectly sensible. How can you attempt to understand a language if you dont know the swear words! - how practical and sensible would it be for an english learner visiting England to be told to avoid learning the swear words.

Obviously this doesnt mean you have to use them!!

Edited July 12, 2006 by mittheimp

[papillon]

cooL guY corY, the book you are referring to is:

Thai for Gay Tourists - A Language Guide to the Gay Culture of Thailand

By Saksit Pakdeesiam

Publishers:Paiboom Publishing (Offices in Berkeley, California, and Bangkok)

ISNB 1-887521-11-9

It's largely a dictionary, but with interspersed articles of poor quality. Also, it is not quite as gay-oriented as it sounds, and I can see no reason why it should not be useful to an ex-pat as well as a tourist. You are right to say that it covers swear words as well as sexual words, and it has lists of words associated with heterosexual sex and a section of the softest, sweet pillow talk. It gives the word in Thai script, a transliteration and a translation, and makes some attempt to distinguish the offensiveness or not of the word.

I am NOT recommending this book, because I do not know enough Thai to judge whether it is correct, accurate or really helpful (for what?!!). Also, it is not a book for the prudish or fastidious!

[Rikker]

There are plenty of Thai/English "dictionaries" (usually slim volumes) of swear words or dirty words, although the majority I've seen appear to be aimed at teaching Thais to use the English equivalents. The one I picked up a while back (purely academic interest, of course.. ahem) is called พจนานุกรม ฉบับทะลึ่งทะเล้น. The author had at least three other books on the shelf with similar themes. Some of the ones I've seen would make a sailor blush. Or perhaps punch you.

[wilko]

My experience with swearing in English by non-native speakers would lead me to believe that swearing in Thai should be avoided at all costs,

Swearing in English is an incredibly subtle art...I would imagine it's not much different in Thai and would require an extremely high language level and cultural knowledge before it could be undertaken without embarrassing results or even worse.....

Many students of English pick up on the "f" word but have absolutely no idea of how to put it in context. Many bar-girls hear the word and assume that you are being rude or aggressive....

Example....a man goes into a bar and puts some money into a jukebox, but the machine refuses to play anything, after fiddling about with it for a while and even thumping it he goes up to the landlord who by now is watching him and says......

"Oy mate...the f***ing f***er's f***ing f***ed!!"

This translates as....

"Excuse me sir, but the jukebox isn't working"

Try finding that in your electronic dictionary or phrasebook...

[DtingDtong]

"Oy mate...the f***ing f***er's f***ing f***ed!!"

This translates as....

"Excuse me sir, but the jukebox isn't working"

Try finding that in your electronic dictionary or phrasebook...

[jdinasia]

I would hazard to say that 99% of the people n this board don't have any need to learn vulgar language in Thai ... or will learn it quickly by association.

The 2 phrases I use with Thais that use vulgar language with me (thinking I am a tourist) translate into "That's ok .. you don't have to be polite!" and just lets people know that you understood them and speak Thai. That is normally enough.

The other phrase and needs to be used with great care and depends on how offensive you wish to be... "Your school/mother didn't teach you how to be polite?" I thought I was gonna get creamed on a skytrain station after getting out of a train and asking that to a group of young men from Chula that were speaking not so politely about me on the train ... until they say my Chula book bag. (No way for them to tell I was only a student and not a professor ... but that was the first time I was Wai'd by a group of young men and apologized to!

Note on those 2 pages of vulgar language ... they DON'T translate the way they are meant to without the rest of the sentences.

Edited July 15, 2006 by jdinasia

[marshbags]

I would hazard to say that 99% of the people n this board don't have any need to learn vulgar language in Thai ... or will learn it quickly by association.

The 2 phrases I use with Thais that use vulgar language with me (thinking I am a tourist) translate into "That's ok .. you don't have to be polite!" and just lets people know that you understood them and speak Thai. That is normally enough.

The other phrase and needs to be used with great care and depends on how offensive you wish to be... "Your school/mother didn't teach you how to be polite?" I thought I was gonna get creamed on a skytrain station after getting out of a train and asking that to a group of young men from Chula that were speaking not so politely about me on the train ... until they say my Chula book bag. (No way for them to tell I was only a student and not a professor ... but that was the first time I was Wai'd by a group of young men and apologized to!

Note on those 2 pages of vulgar language ... they DON'T translate the way they are meant to without the rest of the sentences.

With Thais

I usually just keep cool, shake my head and walk away muttering English swear words as i go.

It helps me get the tension out of the way plus it doesn,t normally cause to much additional aggression.

A raised voice that is mis understood / not understood can give you trouble with a capitol T

marshbags

[topsan]

Don't you think it's better to know what thai people say about you?

I think it's all right to know these bad phrases without saying a word of it.

[m155g0ld]

I personally would never swear in Thai - can't really think why I would need to and would probably just sound ridiculous rather than scary

However, i did stumble across this website which makes for amusing reading http://www.insultmonger.com/swearing/thai.htm

I would honestly suggest that nobody use any of it though and I have posted it for amusement purposes only

[Heng]

Here's one that could get you in a nice little squabble:

'ai lued plai!'

ai pronounced "I" with a sharp downward tone

lued (Thai for blood, most of you can say that surely)

plai pronounced like the ply in 'plywood' but said quickly.

Literally, "you, of slave's blood."

It insults them and their entire family and a large percentage of indigenous Thais are descended just a few generations from slaves. They love being reminded of that, especially groups of the lower class ones while they are drinking. It'll have little effect on Thais that aren't descended from slaves and either way, just about everyone who hears you will be looking down on you when you say it.

Most falangs I know aren't stupid or bold enough to want to say something like that, but from reading this thread, there are probably a few on the outer limits of the bell curve who might want to try.

[meadish_sweetball]

Here's one that could get you in a nice little squabble:

'ai lued plai!'

ai pronounced "I" with a sharp downward tone

lued (Thai for blood, most of you can say that surely)

plai pronounced like the ply in 'plywood' but said quickly.

Literally, "you, of slave's blood."

It insults them and their entire family and a large percentage of indigenous Thais are descended just a few generations from slaves. They love being reminded of that, especially groups of the lower class ones while they are drinking. It'll have little effect on Thais that aren't descended from slaves and either way, just about everyone who hears you will be looking down on you when you say it.

Most falangs I know aren't stupid or bold enough to want to say something like that, but from reading this thread, there are probably a few on the outer limits of the bell curve who might want to try.

Now THIS kind of advice is what Immigration should be using in their attempt to get rid of the "bad farang influence"...

[Disco]

My experience with swearing in English by non-native speakers would lead me to believe that swearing in Thai should be avoided at all costs,

Swearing in English is an incredibly subtle art...I would imagine it's not much different in Thai and would require an extremely high language level and cultural knowledge before it could be undertaken without embarrassing results or even worse.....

Many students of English pick up on the "f" word but have absolutely no idea of how to put it in context. Many bar-girls hear the word and assume that you are being rude or aggressive....

Example....a man goes into a bar and puts some money into a jukebox, but the machine refuses to play anything, after fiddling about with it for a while and even thumping it he goes up to the landlord who by now is watching him and says......

"Oy mate...the f***ing f***er's f***ing f***ed!!"

This translates as....

"Excuse me sir, but the jukebox isn't working"

Try finding that in your electronic dictionary or phrasebook...

Could not agree more. This is a message to those who find it so 'vulgar', swearing is all in the delivery, the time, the place and the company. I have never been caught out swearing in front of the 'nice' people but put give me a few drinks, the right company (in the right environment of course) and I'll be swearing with the best of them. BUT it is not aggresive or rude or directed at anybody that I DON'T know and yes it's a bad habit but I still want to know what is being said. Am nost impressed that from this thread I've learnt 'Mai chawp khun, dag ling' because didn't realise about the 'dag ling' so if i ever overhere that i can have a bit of a chuckle

[jdinasia]

Here's one that could get you in a nice little squabble:

'ai lued plai!'

ai pronounced "I" with a sharp downward tone

lued (Thai for blood, most of you can say that surely)

plai pronounced like the ply in 'plywood' but said quickly.

Literally, "you, of slave's blood."

It insults them and their entire family and a large percentage of indigenous Thais are descended just a few generations from slaves. They love being reminded of that, especially groups of the lower class ones while they are drinking. It'll have little effect on Thais that aren't descended from slaves and either way, just about everyone who hears you will be looking down on you when you say it.

Most falangs I know aren't stupid or bold enough to want to say something like that, but from reading this thread, there are probably a few on the outer limits of the bell curve who might want to try.

Now THIS kind of advice is what Immigration should be using in their attempt to get rid of the "bad farang influence"...

It certainly shows where someone learned their Thai language .... kinda sad really

[weary]

Hartiharhar. There be buried treasure somewhere among these posts.

Edited September 14, 2006 by weary

[Neeranam]

I heard 'jai sat' recently - this is something very rarely used and is very very bad. The context was a child rapist.

[Thaddeus]

Just to echo some other posts.

It is never a good idea to 'cuss' in front of anyone, especially Thais, even if you mean it as a joke.... unless you can say it perfectly, there is a very good chance that it will be either misunderstood or mistaken as a real insult.

If the person you are directing the comment at is someone you don't know, there is a good chance you will be attending a BBQ in the near future, if it is someone that you have spent some time and effort making them a friend, you will lose a friend.

On and I do it all the time with each other..... but only each other. I have a fairly good repertoire of Thai swear words and insults, I never use them unless the company I am keeping have known me for some time and the insult is directed at someone who is not present (talking behind someone else's back..... a universal hobby)

Our favourite one that we engage with in mixed company is:-

"What are you (vulgar) looking at?)

"I don't know, you (vulgar) don't have a sticker"

But, I would only say the response to her....... having said that, knowing Thai profanities let's you know were you stand..... but just listen, don't reply

[britmaveric]

Be honest most swear words I've seen - get mangled by westerners brings more laffs than anything.

However I certainly wouldnt use swear words with people you don't know, good end up dreadfully wrong.

[Heng]

It certainly shows where someone learned their Thai language .... kinda sad really

History and language are what they are. Nothing sad about understanding them. What's sad are folks who feel a need to swear.

[Neeranam]

However I certainly wouldnt use swear words with people you don't know, good end up dreadfully wrong. unsure.gif

I would(and have)if they insult me. Wouldn't you stand up for yourself in another country?Sure, there have been some 'incidents' - don't you have any sense of pride?

QUOTE(jdinasia @ 2006-09-14 14:16:30) *

It certainly shows where someone learned their Thai language .... kinda sad really

History and language are what they are. Nothing sad about understanding them. What's sad are folks who feel a need to swear.

What's sad about learning Thai in a bar, or on the street?

It's real life!