Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| กล้าหาญ | glâa-hǎan | /klaː˥˩.haːn˩˩˦/ |
| กล้า | glâa | /klaː˥˩/ |
The term is used to describe someone who is strong in the face of fear. While กล้าหาญ is the standard adjective for brave, the shorter form กล้า is often used as a verb meaning "to dare".
What does it mean word for word?
The core root is กล้า (glâa), which means to be brave or to dare. In the compound form กล้าหาญ, the second syllable หาญ (hǎan) is a formal component that adds a sense of boldness or audacity.
Which one should you use?
The form กล้าหาญ is the standard adjective for brave or courageous. The shorter form กล้า is the root meaning to dare or be brave.
How does it change in a sentence?
Thai adjectives do not change form for person or number. กล้าหาญ remains the same whether you are describing one person or many. You can also turn the adjective into the noun "bravery" or "courage" by adding the prefix ความ to the word, resulting in ความกล้าหาญ.
How do you pronounce it?
glâa-hǎan (/klaː˥˩.haːn˩˩˦/)
Did you know?
- The root word กล้า originally referred to a 'rice seedling'. This suggests a connection between the strength needed for a young plant to break through the soil and the concept of bravery.
- The term กล้าหาญ is more likely to be found in formal writing, speeches or literature than in a casual conversation between friends.
Examples in context
- คุณกล้าหาญมากYou are very brave.This sentence is useful for showing how to use กล้าหาญ to describe a person's character.Tatoeba #7878421 by pastelite, translation #16474 by CK
- ความกล้าหาญของคุณในการต่อสู้เพื่อความเชื่อของคุณนั้นน่ายกย่องจริงๆ ครับ/ค่ะYour bravery in standing up for what you believe is truly admirable.
- เขาเป็นทหารที่กล้าหาญมากkhao pen thahan thi klahan makHe is a very brave soldier.
Example conversation
A woman and a man are talking about a movie hero.
- พิมล Pimonตัวเอกในหนังเรื่องนี้กล้าหาญมากtua ek nai nang rueang ni klahan makThe protagonist in this movie is very brave.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritใช่ครับ เขาไม่กลัวอะไรเลยchai khrap khao mai klua arai loeiYes, he is not afraid of anything at all.
- พิมล Pimonธนกฤตชอบพระเอกแบบนี้ไหมthanakrit chop phra ek baep ni maiDo you like heroes like this, Thanakrit?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritผมชอบคนที่มีความกล้าหาญครับphom chop khon thi mi khwam klahan khrapI like people who have bravery.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brave” translations and entries กล้าหาญ, กล้า, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries กล้า, กล้าหาญ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
