ทนายความ
tá-naai-kwaam/tʰa˦˥.naːj˧.kʰwaːm˧/
The English word attorney is translated into Thai as ทนายความ (tá-naai-kwaam).
ทนายความ is a noun meaning lawyer or attorney.
Meaning: lawyer (noun)
Which one should you use?
ทนายความ is the formal, full term used in legal documents and official settings, whereas ทนาย is the shortened version used in speech.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables: tá-naai-kwaam. The romanization is tá-naai-kwaam.
Did you know?
- In casual settings, Thais may pair the formal title ทนาย with a personal nickname, mixing a high-status professional designation with an intimate family naming convention.
- Thai speakers often use คุณทนาย as a complete name when addressing a lawyer, treating the professional title as a substitute for the person's actual identity.
- The word ทนาย (ta-naai) possesses a much broader historical meaning than just 'lawyer', once referring generally to any 'agent' or 'representative' regardless of the field.
Examples in context
- เขาเป็นทนายความที่มีชื่อเสียงkhao pen thanaykhwam thi mi chue-siangHe is a famous attorney.
- ฉันต้องปรึกษาทนายความก่อนchan tong prueksa thanaykhwam konI need to consult an attorney first.
- ทนายความกำลังช่วยเขาในศาลthanaykhwam kamlang chuai khao nai sanThe attorney is helping him in court.
Example conversation
Nicha and Chonlasit are discussing a legal matter at a cafe.
- ณิชา Nichaคุณมีทนายความหรือยังคะkhun mi thanaykhwam rue yang khaDo you have an attorney yet?
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitผมกำลังหาทนายความอยู่ครับphom kamlang ha thanaykhwam yu khrapI am looking for an attorney.
- ณิชา Nichaฉันรู้จักทนายความเก่งๆ นะคะchan ru-chak thanaykhwam keng-keng na khaI know some very good attorneys.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitช่วยแนะนำผมหน่อยได้ไหมครับchuai nae-nam phom noi dai mai khrapCould you please recommend one to me?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ทนายความ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
