สบาย
sà-baai/sa˨˩.baːj˧/
The English word "comfortable" is translated into Thai as สบาย (sà-baai).
สบาย is a common and versatile way to express comfortable or comfort in Thai.
Meaning: providing physical comfort and ease (adj)
Which one should you use?
While สบาย refers to general comfort, other terms are used for specific contexts: สะดวก is used to convey convenience or comfort in terms of location, amenities or facilities, อบอุ่น refers to warmth and coziness, often used to describe a comfortable or cozy environment and เบาสบาย is used to describe physical comfort regarding weight or a light-hearted state of mind.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is sà-baai.
Did you know?
- The word สบาย originates from the Pali word sappāya, which originally meant 'beneficial' or 'wholesome'.
- In a sarcastic tone, สบายเลย can be used to describe someone who is taking advantage of a situation or 'living the life of Riley'.
- In Thai, you can use สบาย to describe your well-being, such as saying สบายดี to mean 'I am well', even if you are not currently sitting in a soft chair.
Examples in context
- เก้าอี้ตัวนี้นั่งสบายจังThis is a comfortable chair.This sentence is useful for describing how a chair feels using the word สบาย.Tatoeba #4558461 by reminiz, translation #243639 by mamat
- ฉันนั่งเก้าอี้นี้สบายมากI find this chair very comfortable.
- ที่นี่บรรยากาศสบายThe atmosphere here is comfortable.
- นอนสบายTo sleep comfortably
- เตียงนี้ก็นอนสบายดีนะthiang ni ko non sabai di naThis bed is comfortable to sleep in.
- รองเท้าคู่นี้ใส่สบายมากrong thao khu ni sai sabai makThese shoes are very comfortable to wear.
Example conversation
At a hotel checking in.
- ณิชา Nichaห้องพักใหม่นี้สบายไหมคะhong phak mai ni sabai mai khaIs this new room comfortable?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritสบายมากครับsabai mak khrapIt is very comfortable.
- ณิชา Nichaดีจังเลยค่ะdi chang loei khaThat's great.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritผมชอบที่นี่มากphom chop thi ni makI like it here a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “comfortable” translations and entries สบาย, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries สบาย, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
