ปู่
bpùu/puː˨˩/
The English word "grandpa" can be translated into Thai as ปู่ (bpùu) or ตา.
Meaning: grandfather (informal) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ปู่ | bpùu | /puː˨˩/ |
| ตา | dtaa | /taː˧/ |
In Thai, the term you use for grandfather depends on which side of the family he is on.
Which one should you use?
The word ปู่ is used specifically for a paternal grandfather, meaning the father's father. In contrast, the word ตา refers specifically to a maternal grandfather, meaning the mother's father.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the honorific คุณ before ปู่ or ตา makes the term more polite and respectful.
How do you pronounce it?
bpùu
Did you know?
- The word for maternal grandfather, ตา, is the exact same word used for the organ you use to see, 'eye'.
- While ปู่ and ตา describe specific grandfathers, Thai speakers often use these terms to address any elderly man in a friendly or respectful way, even if they are not related.
Examples in context
- คุณปู่ซื้อมันให้ผมGrandpa bought it for me!This sentence shows how to use ปู่ when talking about a grandfather.Tatoeba #10077999 by tatoebashrek, translation #73932 by CK
- คุณปู่กำลังนอนหลับkhun pu kam-lang non lapGrandpa is sleeping.
- ฉันไปหาคุณปู่ที่บ้านchan pai ha khun pu thi banI am going to see grandpa at his house.
Example conversation
Two cousins are talking about their family visiting.
- พิมล Pimonชลสิทธิ์ จะไปหาคุณปู่ไหมchon-la-sit cha pai ha khun pu maiChonlasit, are you going to see grandpa?
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitผมจะไปหาคุณปู่ครับphom cha pai ha khun pu khrapI am going to see grandpa.
- พิมล Pimonฝากสวัสดีคุณปู่ด้วยนะfak sa-wat-di khun pu duai naPlease say hello to grandpa for me.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitได้เลยครับ พิมลdai loei khrap phim-onWill do, Pimol.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandpa” translations and entries ปู่, ตา, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ตา, ปู่, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
