Jingjok
Thai phrases › Idioms 2 and four-syllable expressions
How to say unable to speak out
in Thai
น้ำท่วมปาก
náam tûam bpàak
unable to speak out
náam hightûam fallingbpàak low
You know the truth but saying it would cause trouble for you or others.
- Part of speech
- phrase
- Literally
- water floods the mouth
In a sentence
- รู้ว่าใครผิด แต่น้ำท่วมปากrúu wâa krai pìt dtàae náam tûam bpàakI know who's at fault, but I can't say anything.
From the same situation: Idioms 2 and four-syllable expressions
- คำซ้อนpaired word, word doublet
- คำสัมผัสrhyming words, rhyme
- คำพังเพยsaying, adage
- โวหารrhetoric, way with words
- อุปมาsimile, analogy
- เปรียบเปรยto make a pointed comparison
- คมคายsharp, witty (of words)
- สละสลวยelegant, polished (of language)
All 98 words and phrases in “Idioms 2 and four-syllable expressions” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Jingjok teaches น้ำท่วมปาก 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.
The first week is free.