พี่สาว
pîi-sǎao/pʰiː˥˩.saːw˩˩˦/
The Thai phrase for "elder sister" is พี่สาว (pîi-sǎao).
พี่สาว is used to refer specifically to a sister who is older than the speaker. In casual conversation, Thai speakers often drop the สาว (female) part and just use พี่ to address an older sister or any person slightly older than them.
What does it mean word for word?
The word พี่สาว consists of พี่ (elder sibling) and สาว (female/young woman).
Which one should you use?
While พี่สาว (pîi-sǎao) refers to an elder sister, พี่ชาย (pîi-chaai) refers to an elder brother.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is pîi-sǎao.
When do people say it?
The term พี่ is frequently used as a pronoun to address people who are older than the speaker, even if they are not biological siblings.
Did you know?
- In Thai pop culture, such as in songs or television, the term พี่ is often used by romantic interests to create a sense of protective intimacy and sweetness.
- The word พี่ is so versatile that it is common to use it as a first-person pronoun, meaning 'I' when speaking to a younger sibling or junior.
- The word พี่ shares a common root with the Ahom word Pi, suggesting that this concept of an elder sibling is a deeply ancient linguistic structure in the region.
Examples in context
- พี่สาวของฉันสวยมากphi sao khong chan suai makMy elder sister is very beautiful.
- เขามีพี่สาวสองคนkhao mi phi sao song khonHe has two elder sisters.
- พี่สาวกำลังทำอาหารphi sao kamlang tham a-hanMy elder sister is cooking.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their families at a cafe.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritคุณมีพี่สาวไหมkhun mi phi sao maiDo you have an elder sister?
- พิมล Pimonมีค่ะ ฉันมีพี่สาวหนึ่งคนmi kha, chan mi phi sao nueng khonYes, I have one elder sister.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritพี่สาวของคุณทำงานที่ไหนphi sao khong khun tham ngan thi naiWhere does your elder sister work?
- พิมล Pimonเธอเป็นครูค่ะthoe pen khru khaShe is a teacher.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry พี่สาว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries พี่สาว, CC BY-SA 4.0.
