ระวัง
rá-wang/ra˦˥.waŋ˧/
To say "be careful" in Thai, use ระวัง (rá-wang).
ระวัง is a warning used to tell someone to avoid danger or a mistake. To make the warning sound softer and more caring, especially when speaking to friends or family, you can add the particle นะ (ná) to the end of the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced rá-wang (/ra˦˥.waŋ˧/).
Did you know?
- Thai has a separate word, รอบคอบ, for being 'careful' in the sense of being thorough or meticulous, meaning you cannot use ระวัง to describe someone who is a careful planner.
- In Thai culture, warning someone to ระวัง in a very loud or aggressive tone to a superior can be perceived as rude, regardless of the danger, because it disrupts the social hierarchy.
- In very casual settings among close friends, instead of a full phrase, one might just shout เฮ้ย (hóey) to signal an immediate need to be careful of something approaching.
Examples in context
- คุณควรระวังสิ่งที่คุณพูดYou should be careful what you say.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ระวัง regarding speech.Tatoeba #8717329 by pastelite, translation #239681 by CK
- ระวังBe careful.This is a direct way to say "Be careful."Tatoeba #7878461 by pastelite, translation #1849392 by CK
- ระวังนะ มันร้อนBe careful. It's hot.This sentence demonstrates a warning about heat using ระวัง.Tatoeba #11533380 by onlinepokes, translation #11140842 by CK
- เดินทางด้วยรถประจำทางอย่าลืมระวังตัวนะคะWhen traveling by public transport, don't forget to take care of yourself.
Example conversation
Two people are walking together near a slippery floor.
- วิทวัส Witthawatระวังนะ พื้นตรงนี้ลื่นมากrawang na phuen trong ni luen makBe careful, the floor here is very slippery.
- พิมล Pimonขอบคุณที่บอกค่ะkhop khun thi bok khaThank you for telling me.
- วิทวัส Witthawatเดินช้าๆ นะครับdoen cha cha na krapPlease walk slowly.
- พิมล Pimonโอเคค่ะ พิมลจะระวังok kha phimon cha rawangOkay, I will be careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ระวัง, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
