Jingjok
How to say auntie (older woman)
in Thai
ป้า
bpâa
auntie (older woman) · father's or mother's older sister
bpâa falling
For women around your parents' age, like the lady at the noodle stall. Calling a 35-year-old ป้า stings; say พี่ when unsure.
- Part of speech
- pron
- Remember it
- Auntie says PAH! at your messy room.
In a sentence
- ป้าคะbpâa káExcuse me, auntie.
- ป้าอยู่ที่ไหนครับbpâa yùu tîi-nǎi krápWhere do you live, auntie?
The culture behind it
CULTURE
Everyone is family: พี่, น้อง, ลุง, ป้า
From the same situation: Who's who
- พี่older brother or sister; you (to someone a bit older)
- น้องyounger brother or sister; you (to someone younger)
- ลุงuncle (older man)
- น้าauntie or uncle (younger than your parents)
- อาauntie or uncle (father's younger sibling)
- คนperson, people
- ฝรั่งWesterner (white foreigner)
- ประเทศcountry
All 65 words and phrases in “Who's who” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Jingjok teaches ป้า with audio, the tone drawn on screen, and a check on your own voice. Answer the three questions every Thai asks a foreigner, ask them back, and address people with the right family word.
- WEEKS 1–2 · SURVIVEGreet anyone, pay, and order food and 7-Eleven exactly how you like it.
- WEEKS 3–6 · SETTLE INGet around by taxi, Grab and skytrain, find anything, and handle your landlord.
- WEEKS 7–12 · RUN YOUR LIFEPharmacy, bank, SIM and apps, how you feel, and a weekend away, all in Thai.
The first week is free.