เจ๋ง
jěng/t͡ɕeŋ˩˩˦/
The English word 'cool' can be translated into Thai in several ways, with เจ๋ง (jěng) being a common term.
The word เจ๋ง is a common way to say 'cool' in Thai and can describe an action, an object or a person.
Meaning: having a slightly low temperature (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word เท่ has a casual and trendy connotation and is used among Thai youngsters to mean 'cool'. The phrase เท่มาก means 'very cool'. The term แจ่ม is an informal word used by Thai youth to mean 'awesome' or 'cool'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is jěng and the IPA is /tɕeŋ˩˩˦/.
Did you know?
- Although it is used to mean 'cool' or 'awesome' today, the word เจ๋ง actually originates from Cantonese, specifically the word 正 meaning 'correct' or 'right'.
- The word แจ่ม is often used to describe a bright, clear sky or a beautiful day, but in slang, it functions as a way to say something is 'cool' or 'excellent'.
- To make เจ๋ง or เท่ sound more extreme, Thai speakers often add สุดๆ at the end, which literally means 'to the extreme'.
Examples in context
- เจ๋งมาก!So cool!
- ดีที่สุด!The best!
- เยี่ยมไปเลย!Absolutely marvelous!
Example conversation
Two people are walking into a building from the heat.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritข้างนอกร้อนมากเลยkhang nok ron mak loeiIt's very hot outside.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanในนี้อากาศเจ๋งดีนะnai ni akat cheng di naThe air in here is nice and cool.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritใช่ สบายตัวขึ้นเยอะเลยchai sabai tua khuen yoe loeiYes, I feel much more comfortable.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanพักตรงนี้สักครู่เถอะphak trong ni sak khru thoeLet's rest here for a moment.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry เจ๋ง, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries เจ๋ง, CC BY-SA 4.0.
