A saying that describes a situation without a moral, unlike สุภาษิต (a proverb with a lesson). Teachers love the distinction; most people just say สำนวน.
Part of speech
noun
In a sentence
ข้าวใหม่ปลามันเป็นคำพังเพย
kâao mài bplaa man bpen kam-pang-poei
"New rice, fatty fish" is a saying.
From the same situation: Idioms 2 and four-syllable expressions
Jingjok teaches คำพังเพย with audio, the tone drawn on screen, and a check on your own voice. Recognise and use 40 more Thai idioms and the paired and four-beat expressions (คำซ้อน) that give Thai speech its rhythm, and bring them into conversation the way Thais do.
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.