Jingjok
ขี้- humour: labels with a grin
kîi-luuem
The prefix ขี้- literally comes from the word for 'excrement', and it marks a habit, usually a fault: ขี้ลืม forgetful, ขี้เกียจ lazy, ขี้เหนียว stingy, ขี้บ่น a grumbler, ขี้อาย shy. In everyday life these labels are used playfully. Friends call each other ขี้เหนียว when someone dodges the bill, parents are lovingly ขี้บ่น, and you will win points by saying ขี้ลืมจัง about yourself when you forget your keys again. Self-teasing is good social glue in Thailand; it keeps things light and protects face. Pronunciation matters: ขี้ has a falling tone, and ขี่ (low) means 'to ride'.
Try this today
Next time you forget something, say ขี้ลืมจัง about yourself.
The words that carry it
- ขี้ลืมforgetful
- ขี้บ่นalways complaining, a grumbler
- ขี้เหนียวstingy, tight with money
- ขี้เมาboozy; a drunk
- ขี้โม้boastful, full of tall tales
Learn this in “Describing people and things” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Culture cards in Jingjok are tied to the words that carry them, each ending in one thing to try today.
- 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.