เด็ก
dèk/dek̚˨˩/
The English word child can be translated into Thai as เด็ก (dèk) or ลูก. Wiktionary also lists ศิศุ (sì-sù).
Meaning: son or daughter, someone's child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| เด็ก | dèk | /dek̚˨˩/ |
| ลูก | lûuk | /luːk̚˥˩/ |
| ศิศุ | sì-sù | /si˨˩.suʔ˨˩/ |
The term for child in Thai depends on whether you are talking about someone's offspring or a person's age. Use ลูก to refer to a person's biological or legal offspring (son or daughter). Use เด็ก to refer to a young person by virtue of their age, regardless of any family relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ลูก is also used as a classifier for many types of fruit.
Which one should you use?
ลูก is used when you mean offspring, whereas เด็ก is used when you mean a child in terms of their age group.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'children' in the sense of multiple young people, you can repeat the word as เด็กๆ. To express 'children' in the sense of multiple offspring, you can repeat the word as ลูกๆ.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of เด็ก is dèk.
Did you know?
- Thai speakers often use ลูก to address strangers or younger people in a kind, maternal or paternal way, even if there is no biological relation.
- If you are reading a formal or poetic text, you might encounter the word ศิศุ, which is borrowed directly from Sanskrit.
- In Thai, the word เด็ก can be combined with other words to describe a 'child-like' personality or immaturity, regardless of the person's actual age.
Examples in context
- เธอไม่ใช่เด็กShe's not a child.This sentence is useful for using the word เด็ก to state that someone is not a child.Tatoeba #8722690 by pastelite, translation #1191962 by Anon
- เรารับลูกบุญธรรมWe adopted a child.This sentence is useful for using the word ลูก to talk about an adopted child.Tatoeba #8703148 by pastelite, translation #263053 by CK
- เด็กป่วยนั่งบนเตียงThe sick child sat up in bed.This sentence is useful for using the word เด็ก to describe a sick child.Tatoeba #10468537 by Somsak, translation #318453 by CK
- ผู้ใหญ่ต้องดูแลเด็กๆ อย่างดีAdults must take good care of children.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a local park.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatณิชา ดูเด็กคนนั้นสิNicha du dek khon nan siNicha, look at that child.
- ณิชา Nichaเขากำลังวิ่งเล่นอยู่ใช่ไหมKhao kam-lang wing len yu chai maiHe is running and playing, right?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatใช่ เขาดูมีความสุขมากChai khao du mi khwam suk makYes, he looks very happy.
- ณิชา Nichaเด็กวัยนี้พลังเยอะจริงๆdek wai ni phalang yo ching chingChildren this age really have a lot of energy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “child” translations and entries เด็ก, ลูก, ศิศุ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ลูก, ศิศุ, เด็ก, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
