ช้าง
cháang/t͡ɕʰaːŋ˦˥/
The Thai word for elephant is ช้าง (cháang). Wiktionary also lists คชสาร (kót-chá-sǎan).
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ช้าง | cháang | /t͡ɕʰaːŋ˦˥/ |
| คชสาร | kót-chá-sǎan | /kʰot̚˦˥.t͡ɕʰa˦˥.saːn˩˩˦/ |
Both terms refer to the mammal elephant.
Which one should you use?
While ช้าง is the common word for elephant, คชสาร is a formal, literary term often used in poetry or royal contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
cháang
Did you know?
- The formal term คชสาร is a linguistic curiosity because it is a tautology, essentially meaning 'elephant-elephant' by combining two different words that both signify the animal.
- In Thailand, the white elephant is a sacred symbol of royal power and prosperity, and historically, it was forbidden to use one for common labor.
- The phonological structure of ช้าง connects it to Middle Chinese, showing that many basic Thai words have deep historical ties to Chinese dialects.
Examples in context
- สวัสดีครับ นี่คือช้างของประเทศไทยHello, this is the elephant of Thailand.
- ช้าง ตัวใหญ่มากchang tua yai makThe elephant is very big.
- ฉันชอบดูช้างที่สวนสัตว์chan chop du chang thi suan satI like watching elephants at the zoo.
- ช้างเป็นสัตว์ที่ฉลาดchang pen sat thi chalatAn elephant is an intelligent animal.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a picture book in a library.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritพิมล ดูช้างตัวนี้สิPhimon du chang tua ni siPhimon, look at this elephant.
- พิมล Pimonมันน่ารักมากเลยธนกฤตMan na rak mak loei ThanakitIt is very cute, Thanakit.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritช้างมีงวงยาวด้วยนะChang mi nguang yao duai naThe elephant has a long trunk, too.
- พิมล Pimonใช่ แล้วก็มีหูใหญ่ด้วยChai laeo ko mi hu yai duaiYes, and it has big ears too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elephant” translations and entries ช้าง, คชสาร, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries คชสาร, ช้าง, CC BY-SA 4.0.
