โลมา
loo-maa/loː˧.maː˧/
The English word dolphin is โลมา (loo-maa) in Thai. Wiktionary also lists ปลาโลมา (bplaa loo-maa).
Meaning: aquatic mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| โลมา | loo-maa | /loː˧.maː˧/ |
| ปลาโลมา | bplaa loo-maa |
The word refers to the aquatic mammal. While โลมา is the direct name, Thai speakers frequently add the word ปลา (fish) before it to refer to the animal.
What does it mean word for word?
The form ปลาโลมา literally translates to 'fish dolphin'.
How do you pronounce it?
loo-maa
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might be confused by the use of ปลา (fish) for a mammal, but it is a standard way to name many aquatic animals in Thai.
Did you know?
- The word โลมา shares an unexpected connection to the Pali word loma, which means 'hair' or 'fur'.
- Because of the broad use of the word ปลา, a whale in Thai is often referred to as ปลาวาฬ, or 'fish whale'.
- The phrase ปลาโลมา is so standard that using only โลมา can sometimes feel incomplete in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- ปลาโลมาDolphin (literally: dolphin fish)This sentence shows the use of โลมา in the phrase meaning 'dolphin fish'.
- ฉันอยากเห็นโลมาว่ายน้ำchan yak hen lo-ma wai namI want to see a dolphin swimming.
- โลมาเป็นสัตว์ที่ฉลาดมากlo-ma pen sat thi cha-lat makDolphins are very intelligent animals.
Example conversation
Kanokwan and Thanakrit are at the aquarium.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanดูนั่นสิ โลมาตัวใหญ่อยู่ตรงนั้นdu nan si loma tua yai yu trong nanLook there, there is a big dolphin over there.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritมันกำลังว่ายน้ำกับเพื่อนของมันman kamlang wai nam kap phuean khong manIt is swimming with its friend.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanโลมาน่ารักมากเลยนะloma narak mak loei naDolphins are so cute, aren't they?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritใช่ ผมชอบมันมากchai phom chop man makYes, I like them very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dolphin” translations and entries โลมา, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries โลมา, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
