The Thai words you grew up hearing

Someone with one Thai parent; literally “half child”, and the everyday word for people like us.

Read more: What does luk khrueng mean? Half Thai, ลูกครึ่ง, explained

A Westerner, and also a guava; in Thailand a stranger may call you this before you say a word.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Your nickname. Most Thais get one at birth and use it everywhere, even at work.

Read more: Thai nicknames explained: 100 meanings, from Ball to Moo · Source: en.wikipedia.org

Surname. Thai surnames became law in 1913 and each had to be unique, which is why they are long.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Older sibling or cousin, and the polite word for anyone a little older than you.

Read more: Why does my Thai sound like my mum? Polite vs casual Thai · Source: en.wikipedia.org

Younger sibling or cousin, and the friendly word for anyone a little younger.

Read more: Family words in Thai: mom, aunt, uncle, พี่ and น้อง · Source: en.wikipedia.org

Cousins: the children of your parents’ older and younger siblings.

Read more: Family words in Thai: mom, aunt, uncle, พี่ and น้อง

Grandma on your mum’s side.

Read more: Should my kid go to Saturday Thai school? An honest look · Source: en.wikipedia.org

Grandma on your dad’s side.

Read more: Family words in Thai: mom, aunt, uncle, พี่ and น้อง · Source: en.wikipedia.org

Auntie: a parent’s older sister, and the polite word for a woman about your parents’ age or older.

Read more: Why does my Thai sound like my mum? Polite vs casual Thai · Source: thaiholidayguide.com

Uncle: a parent’s older brother, and the polite word for a man about your parents’ age or older.

Read more: Family words in Thai: mom, aunt, uncle, พี่ and น้อง · Source: thaiholidayguide.com

Grown-ups and elders: the people you greet first and don’t argue with.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

The polite ending a man puts on what he says; on its own, a polite “yes”.

Read more: Ka and khrap in Thai: what they mean and who says which · Source: en.wiktionary.org

The polite ending a woman puts on a statement (คะ in a question); on its own, a polite “yes”.

Read more: Ka and khrap in Thai: what they mean and who says which · Source: en.wiktionary.org

Not wanting to be a bother: thinking about how someone will feel before you ask.

Read more: Mai pen rai and kreng jai: what they mean in Thai families · Source: en.wiktionary.org

“It’s nothing”: never mind, no problem, you’re welcome, or a gentle no thanks.

Read more: Mai pen rai and kreng jai: what they mean in Thai families · Source: thailandfoundation.or.th

Kindness given freely with nothing expected back; literally “water of the heart”.

Read more: Thai, literally: 30 phrases that make luk khrueng laugh · Source: phuket101.net

Calm and patient; literally “cool heart”, a compliment in a hot country.

Read more: Thai, literally: 30 phrases that make luk khrueng laugh

Gratitude you repay: remembering what your parents and grandparents gave you, and giving back.

“Have you eaten yet?”: a Thai way of saying hello and “I care about you”.

Read more: Kin khao reu yang meaning: why Thai families ask · Source: nationthailand.com

Palms together and a small bow; the higher the hands, the more respect.

Read more: The Thai wai: what it means and how to wai your family · Source: en.wikipedia.org

The Buddhist Era year Thailand uses, 543 years ahead: 2026 is 2569.

Read more: Thai public holidays 2027, Buddhist year 2570 and animal · Source: en.wikipedia.org

Making merit: doing good, such as giving food to monks, often on birthdays or for relatives who have died.

Read more: Thai temple etiquette with family: what to wear, how to krab · Source: en.wikipedia.org

Giving food to monks on their morning alms round, one of the most everyday ways to make merit.

Read more: Thai temple etiquette with family: what to wear, how to krab

A Buddhist holy day that follows the moon, about once a week, when many families go to the temple.

Read more: Thai temple etiquette with family: what to wear, how to krab

Thai New Year in mid-April: a homecoming, blessings from elders, and yes, water.

Read more: Thai public holidays 2027, Buddhist year 2570 and animal · Source: ich.unesco.org

At Songkran, gently pouring scented water over elders’ hands and asking for their blessing.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Floating a little banana-leaf boat on the water at the full moon of the 12th Thai month, usually in November.

Read more: Loy Krathong 2026: meaning and how Thai families do it · Source: en.wikipedia.org

The Thai birth certificate; for a child born abroad, a Thai embassy issues it.

Read more: Thai birth certificate for a child born abroad: how to apply · Source: canberra.thaiembassy.org

House registration: your name in a Thai household record, which gives you a 13-digit Thai ID number.

Read more: Tabien baan: Thai house registration if you were born abroad · Source: washingtondc.thaiembassy.org

The Thai national ID card. The first one is issued only in Thailand; embassies handle some replacements.

Read more: Thai ID card when born abroad: first card and renewal · Source: canberra.thaiembassy.org

Passport. A Thai passport is applied for in person at an embassy or consulate.

Read more: Should I get my Thai passport? A luk khrueng guide · Source: mfa.go.th