Thai Nicknames

June/July 1999

The widespread practice of using nicknames is a reflection of our Sabai-Sabai culture. Thais have a formal name that usually has a positive and traditional meaning. But at home or with those with whom we have a close relationship, the formal name is not usually used. So, we create the nickname. The nickname is also extended to the workplace. Usually, we use the nickname without the formal preceeding title Khun, which is analogous to Mr, or Mrs, Miss, or Ms. in English It demonstrates an informal and close relationship.

In the office, most woman use their nickname. On the other hand, most males rarely use nicknames in the workplace. My assumption is that most gentlemen may want to keep a formal distance.

We can group nicknames into the following categories, with a few examples of each:

Fruit-based nickname:

• SOM = Orange
• PLE = Short form of Apple

Animal-based nickname:

• MOO - Pork
• NOK - Bird
• KAI - Chicken
• NOO - Mouse
• PED - Duck
• CHANG - Elephant
• JEAB - Baby chicken

Number-based nickname:

• NUENG - 1
• SONG - 2

Color-based nickname:

• DAENG - Red
• LEUNG - Yellow
• KEOW - Green
• DUM - Black

English-based nickname:

• - A
• - B
• - C

Size-based nickname:

• TO - Big
• YAI - Big
• LEK - Small

Miscellaneous:

• TEE is popular used for Chinese boy
• MUAY is popular used for Chinese girl
• MAM is popular used to the kid that look FARANG
• OUN = Fat
• EAD = No meaning
• NENG = No meaning
• AOOD - Pork's voice

It is nice if you can translate the meaning of the nickname. It creates a good impression to Thais if the foreigner lets them know they know the meaning.

Lots of nicknames have a history. For instance, TEE and MUAY can tell us that the person is of Chinese blood. OUN can tell us that during childhood the person was a fat kid. NUENG can tell us that the person is the eldest kid in the family. MOO can tell us that the person was a fat kid like a pig!

The nickname is also a good starting point to establish small talk. By simply asking the person of their nickname, the following question can probe for the meaning. You will learn lots of personal history very well. It works very well particularly for the woman.

Colors of the day:

Thais also believe in luck. We believe that if we dress with the color synchronized with the day it will bring us a good luck. I have listed below colors appropriate for each day:

• Color of Monday is Yellow.
• Color of Tuesday is Pink.
• Color of Wednesday is Green.
• Color of Thursday is Orange.
• Color of Friday is Blue.
• Color of Saturday is Purple.
• Color of Sunday is Red.

Black is not a lucky color for conservative people. If you go to a party of Thais with an average age over 40 years, please avoid dressing in black. People reserve the black color for funerals. However, if you go to a party of the younger generation, black is trendy. The best way is to ask the host.

Kriengsak Niratpattanasai
DBS Thai Danu Bank, Bangkok, Thailand