จระเข้
jɔɔ-rá-kêe/t͡ɕɔː˧.ra˦˥.kʰeː˥˩/
The English word "crocodile" is translated into Thai as จระเข้ (jɔɔ-rá-kêe).
จระเข้ refers to the biological reptile. Beyond its literal meaning, the term is also used in various Thai idioms and metaphors to describe things related to danger or deception.
Meaning: reptile (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: jɔɔ-rá-kêe.
Did you know?
- In some Thai regional beliefs, a จระเข้ is thought to be a reincarnated human or a spirit capable of shapeshifting.
- The Thai word for 'alligator' is also จระเข้, as the language does not traditionally distinguish between the two species in common speech.
- The จระเข้ is a central figure in the 'Chalawan' legend, a famous Thai folk tale about a powerful crocodile king.
Examples in context
- สวัสดีค่ะ น้องถามว่า 'crocodile' ในภาษาไทยเรียกว่าอะไรคะ?Hello, my little sister wants to know what 'crocodile' is called in Thai.
- จระเข้ตัวใหญ่มาก.jor-ra-khay tua yai mak.The crocodile is very big.
- ฉันเห็นจระเข้ในสวนสัตว์.chan hen jor-ra-khay nai suan-sat.I saw a crocodile in the zoo.
- จระเข้เป็นสัตว์ที่น่ากลัว.jor-ra-khay pen sat thee na-klua.A crocodile is a scary animal.
Example conversation
Two friends are visiting a zoo.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritณิชา ดูจระเข้ตัวนั้นสิNicha du jorakhe tua nan siNicha, look at that crocodile.
- ณิชา Nichaมันกำลังนอนหลับอยู่man kamlang non lap yuIt is sleeping.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritฟันของจระเข้น่ากลัวจังfan khong jorakhe na klua jangThe crocodile's teeth are so scary.
- ณิชา Nichaใช่ แต่ก็น่าสนใจดีนะchai tae ko na sonjai di naYes, but it's quite interesting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crocodile” translations and entries จระเข้, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
