Everybody is family in Thailand.
It's true, everyone is family in Thailand. You go to the market, and suddenly you gained 5 moms, 3 dads, 4 uncles, 32 aunties, and who's child is this? Why is she on my leg? If you see a stranger, it's very normal to call them as if they're family. Just pick one outof the family tree that looks suitable for that person. If they're a little older than you, call them พี่. If they look older than your mom, call them ป้า or ลุง. But for infinity points, call the old ladies พี่คนสวย, and the old uncles พี่สุดหล่อ. No matter what you did wrong, it will all be forgiven.
Here's an example family tree.
| word | meaning | pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| ครอบครัว | family | |
| พ่อ | dad | |
| แม่ | mom | |
| พี่ | older sibling | |
| น้อง | younger sibling | |
| ลูก | child | |
| หลาน | niece/nephew/grandchild | |
| ปู่ | paternal grandpa | |
| ย่า | paternal grandma | |
| ตา | maternal grandpa | |
| ยาย | maternal grandma | |
| ลูกพี่ลูกน้อง | cousin | |
| น้า | aunt/uncle(mom's younger sibling) | |
| อา | aunt/uncle(dad's younger sibling) | |
| ป้า | aunt(parent's older sister) | |
| ลุง | uncle(parent's older brother) | |
| ญาติ | relative |
If you noticed that your parents' younger siblings are not gender-specific, but side-of-the-family specific. On the other hand, your parents' older siblings are gender-specific, but not side-of-the-family specific. Don't ask me why. I tried to read up on the linguistic history of it. I'm still confused, man. It's something about borrowed words from a specific area of Kmer or something. Just let me go cry. Remember the rules and leave me alone.
In-laws
| word | meaning | pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| พี่เขย | brother-in-law(married to your older sibling) | |
| น้องเขย | brother-in-law(married to your younger sibling) | |
| พี่สะใภ้ | sister-in-law(married to your older sibling) | |
| น้องสะใภ้ | sister-in-law(married to your younger sibling) | |
| พ่อตา | father-in-law(your wife's dad) | |
| แม่ยาย | mother-in-law(your wife's mom) | |
| พ่อปู่ | father-in-law(your husband's dad) | |
| แม่ย่า | mother-in-law(your husband's mom) |
Spouse
When I put "very casual lol", it is very casual and leaning towards bad words. In Thai, we have different levels of words for a lot of words. A lot of words can have a cuss word version of it, not just body parts and bodily functions. It's not cussing anyone out, but only use with someone whom you are comfortable/close with, otherwise, just go with formal.
| word | meaning | pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| สามี | husband(formal) | |
| ผัว | husband(very casual lol) | |
| ภรรยา | wife(formal) | |
| เมีย | wife(very casual lol) |