ผี
pǐi/pʰiː˩˩˦/
The English word "ghost" is translated into Thai as ผี (pǐi). Wiktionary also lists ภูต (pûut) and ปิศาจ (bpì-sàat).
Meaning: spirit appearing after death (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ผี | pǐi | /pʰiː˩˩˦/ |
| ภูต | pûut | /pʰuːt̚˥˩/ /pʰuː˧.ta˨˩./ |
| ปิศาจ | bpì-sàat | /pi˨˩.saːt̚˨˩/ |
| พราย | praai | /pʰraːj˧/ |
In Thai, different words are used depending on whether you are referring to a general spirit, a malevolent entity or a specific type of nature spirit.
Which one should you use?
ผี is the most common, everyday word for a ghost or spirit. In contrast, ปิศาจ specifically refers to a demon or an evil, malevolent spirit rather than a neutral ghost. ภูต is a more formal or literary term used to describe spirits or supernatural entities. Finally, พราย often refers to specific types of spirits, such as those inhabiting water or nature, often found in folklore.
How do you pronounce it?
pǐi
Did you know?
- In Thailand, the word ผี is often used in the phrase ผีผลัก to describe a clumsy accident, which literally means 'pushed by a ghost'.
- The word ผี is used in a common Thai idiom ผีเข้า to describe someone acting strangely, literally meaning 'a ghost has entered'.
- The term พราย shares a linguistic ancestor with the Khmer word for 'to glitter' or 'to sparkle', suggesting these spirits are defined by their shimmering appearance.
Examples in context
- ฉันกลัวผีมาก.chan klua phi mak.I am very afraid of ghosts.
- เขาเล่าเรื่องผีให้ฟัง.khao lao rueang phi hai fang.He told a ghost story.
- คนแถวนี้เห็นผีด้วย.khon thaew ni hen phi duai.People around here see ghosts too.
Example conversation
Kanokwan and Witthawat are walking past an old building at night.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanวิทวัส ตรงนั้นมีผีหรือเปล่าWitthawat trong nan mee phi rue plaoWitthawat, is there a ghost over there?
- วิทวัส Witthawatไม่มีหรอก กนกวรรณ คิดมากไปแล้วmai mee rok Kanokwan khit maak pai laeoThere isn't one, Kanokwan. You're overthinking it.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanแต่ฉันเห็นเงาผีจริงๆ นะtae chan hen ngao phi jing jing naBut I really saw a ghost's shadow.
- วิทวัส Witthawatรีบเดินไปเร็วเข้าเถอะreep doen pai reo khao thoeLet's just walk faster.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ghost” translations and entries ผี, ภูต, ปิศาจ, พราย, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ปิศาจ, ผี, พราย, ภูต, CC BY-SA 4.0.
