งดงาม (ngot ngaam) = beautiful, wonderful

[bottledwater]

Hi, I ran across งดงาม (ngot ngaam) in my Manee Mana 2nd grader's book. thai2english.com says it is a commonly used word. But I am not familiar with it, or more likely didn't understand it when someone used it.

Normally I hear สวย (suay) all the time for beauty. It would be nice to have an alternative. Is งดงาม really that common? and if so, when would it be appropriate to use?

Thanks,

Bottled

[Pla shado]

Once in a while I hear งดงาม (ngot ngaam) used to indicate someone or something is attractive, pretty, beautiful etc. but more often just the word งาม (ngaam) is used. I'm not sure why. I think they both mean essentially the same thing. Perhaps งดงาม means more like "absolutely gorgeous" than just beautiful. I'm not sure. Certainly the word สวย (suay) is most often heard.

[kriswillems]

It's usually used to describe nature, views and places, just like สวยงาม. It means beautiful and is often used.

When describing the beauty of a woman people normally just use สวย and sometimes งาม.

Edited September 13, 2014 by kriswillems

[Gecko123]

Would translate this as "graceful."

[bottledwater]

Interesting . . . . . thank you all for your insights.

[Mole]

It would mean something beyond beauty, such as exquisite.

As kriswillems pointed out it's mostly used on objects, while สวยงาม with equivalent meaning is used for people.

[eeeya]

I Could be wrong, but this might be written word and not really spoken?

[TVeronica]

I Could be wrong, but this might be written word and not really spoken?

Correct.

Also, the word งดงาม usually speak by noble people, to show proper manner (know how to use the word, or educated to use)

for example; we wouldn't say the Thai palace as สวย but we should say as งาม or งดงาม

Hope you understand.

[Aforek]

When describing the beauty of a woman people normally just use สวย and sometimes งาม.

There are videos on youtube with ( beautiful ) girls dancing on motor shows: sometimes, the "disc jokey" ( I don't know how to call him ) uses the word "สวยงาม " , referring to the girls ( not the cars )

Also, the word งดงาม usually speak by noble people, to show proper manner (know how to use the word, or educated to use)

Now I undersand why I have never heard this word : because I don't frequent noble people