Thread: Thai Insults

Insulting someone in a foreign language is always a risky business, especially in a language as tonal as Thai. Like singing or telling jokes, it rarely comes off the way you planned.

Maybe we should forget this thread ... and just use this.



Like "Hello" and "Taxi" ... it's internationally understood by everyone.

nice, covert, ill use it

Try this one in cowboy....

Ee dum dhub phet!

Always gets a laugh.




From A n E....

banya nim probably would work the same too

I am not one for direct swear words in English, let alone Thai. I prefer to be a tadge more subtle (although others may think it very unsubtle)...I get away with it becuase I don't speak Thai or Laos

1. Motorcy Haan...Khon Haan...(roughly as I say it but locals understood) got a good laugh when referring to a cousin who was looking worse for wear after the night before...and has a bike that looks like it came off the local scrap heap.

2. <Insert name> Mai luan Kwai...Kwai Luan <insert name>...That is he/she doesn't look after buffalo...they look after him/her.

3. Bai Loy (as said) is a more tactful approach to tell someone to bugger off.

4. A good kicking is the less tactful way...but works when necessary...

Just joking of course.....

Originally Posted by Troy

.Khon Haan

I wonder if this is the same as "huuurghn" with the "uurgh" sound from "burger".

Pretty sure when you call a guy "huuurghn" means "fithy sex pest/molester/peeping tom" or something like that

^ Not sure if calling him that would get a laugh???

I picked the word up "Haan"...from the song a few years back about a boy with a broken down motorcycle after a girl...Like I said...prefer to say nothing too offensive..

I have heard Thai's say this before ( bun ya on ) but don't know what it means Anyone?

Originally Posted by farrang

I have heard Thai's say this before ( bun ya on ) but don't know what it means Anyone?

Mentally impaired. Soft in the head.

For short people call them "Makahm kor dee-o"

Tamarind with one seed. (I used to live in Phetchabun) Always gets a laugh and non offensive.

Wouldn`t that be: Makham met dee-o?

Originally Posted by Troy

Like I said...prefer to say nothing too offensive.

This isn't really the thread for you then is it.

Originally Posted by Bung

For short people call them "Makahm kor dee-o"

Tamarind with one seed. (I used to live in Phetchabun) Always gets a laugh and non offensive.

I stand corrected.
Just had a chat with my future ex-wife from Phetchabun.
And you were absolutely correct.
Still don`t get it though.

But, well...

Originally Posted by Shy Guava

Originally Posted by farrang

I have heard Thai's say this before ( bun ya on ) but don't know what it means Anyone?

Mentally impaired. Soft in the head.

I thought head = hua.

So what is "bun ya on", I wonder, directly translated ?

Great with all these swearwords to impress the wife and family with my command of Thai.

Do we know any particular Lao (Isaan) swear words ?

Chai kabarn korn phoot......

Originally Posted by Bob63

Originally Posted by Shy Guava

Originally Posted by farrang

I have heard Thai's say this before ( bun ya on ) but don't know what it means Anyone?

Mentally impaired. Soft in the head.

I thought head = hua.

So what is "bun ya on", I wonder, directly translated ?

Great with all these swearwords to impress the wife and family with my command of Thai.

Do we know any particular Lao (Isaan) swear words ?

Bpan-yaa (ปัญญา) means intelligence or wisdom, orn (อ่อน) means soft or weak.

Patrick

Originally Posted by Spin

Originally Posted by Troy

Like I said...prefer to say nothing too offensive.

This isn't really the thread for you then is it.

Sorry...I meant obviously offensive...like swearing...sort of makes you look like a dumb arse-hole yourself...and lost for words.

I always prefer a way to be offensive in a way that it takes someone time to sleep on it and realise just what was meant...Blatant insults incite violent behaviour...those that linger make people realise something much deeper...and rather than incite violence tend to make people change their attitude...just a little...unless they are goldfish of course...

Interesting thread
Laughing at people can be the best way to express your displesure, sometimes.

^Thanks Patrick.
Very nice put, got it.
bpan ya = intelligence.
And I recall bphan ha = problem , so have to be careful not to mix those up.
I find it is easier to remember when I know the exact literal translation. Not just like a tring of sounds that means something else in English.

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

Chai kabarn korn phoot......

Thanks for that. Would be nice to know what it means though, before I try it out on Yai ;-)

Originally Posted by pescator

Originally Posted by Bung

For short people call them "Makahm kor dee-o"

Tamarind with one seed. (I used to live in Phetchabun) Always gets a laugh and non offensive.

I stand corrected.
Just had a chat with my future ex-wife from Phetchabun.
And you were absolutely correct.
Still don`t get it though.

But, well...

A tamarind seed pod is usually long with multiple seeds (visible from the outside like a pee). A pod with a single seed would be a little stumpy thing.

Geddit?

Originally Posted by Bung

For short people call them "Makahm kor dee-o"

Tamarind with one seed. (I used to live in Phetchabun) Always gets a laugh and non offensive.

So is "kor" this one?

กอ - clump, tussock ... I guess it could mean "pod"???

Just trying to dissect the phrase.

Originally Posted by keekwai

Just trying to dissect the phrase.

Or one neck?

Kor - neck/throat

kor can - wrist

kor car - ankle