ฟ้าแลบ
fáa-lɛ̂ɛp/faː˦˥.lɛːp̚˥˩/
The English word 'lightning' is translated into Thai as ฟ้าแลบ (fáa-lɛ̂ɛp). Wiktionary also lists วิชชุ (wít-chú) and สายฟ้า (sǎai-fáa).
Meaning: discharge (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ฟ้าแลบ | fáa-lɛ̂ɛp | /faː˦˥.lɛːp̚˥˩/ /faː˦˥.lɛp̚˥˩/ |
| วิชชุ | wít-chú | /wit̚˦˥.t͡ɕʰuʔ˦˥/ |
| สายฟ้า | sǎai-fáa | /saːj˩˩˦.faː˦˥/ |
| วิเชียร | wí-chiian | /wi˦˥.t͡ɕʰia̯n˧/ |
| อสนีบาต | à-sà-nii-bàat | /ʔa˨˩.sa˨˩.niː˧.baːt̚˨˩/ |
What does it mean word for word?
The term ฟ้าแลบ is composed of ฟ้า, meaning 'sky' and แลบ, meaning 'to flash or peek out'.
Which one should you use?
สายฟ้า (sǎai-fáa) is used to refer to the visible bolt or streak of lightning. For a more formal or literary way to describe a lightning strike or the event of lightning hitting an object, use อสนีบาต (à-sà-nii-bàat).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For high-register, formal literature or religious contexts, the Pali-derived term วิชชุ (wít-chú) is used. อสนีบาต is also a formal or literary term used for describing strikes.
How do you pronounce it?
fáa-lɛ̂ɛp
Did you know?
- The formal word วิเชียร for lightning shares a root with the Thai word for 'diamond' เพชร. Both derive from the ancient concept of a thunderbolt being as hard and indestructible as a diamond.
- The term แลบ (lɛ̂ɛp) in ฟ้าแลบ (fáa-lɛ̂ɛp) is used for things that 'peek out' or 'protrude', like a tongue.
- In Thai culture, the phrase ฟ้าผ่า (lightning strike) is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a sudden, shocking event or an unexpected tragedy.
Examples in context
- เราเห็นฟ้าแลบอยู่บนท้องฟ้าrao hen fa laep yu bon thong faWe saw lightning in the sky.
- ฟ้าแลบทำให้ฉันตกใจมากfa laep tham hai chan tok chai makThe lightning startled me very much.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking out the window during a storm.
- วิทวัส Witthawatกนกวรรณ ดูฟ้าแลบนั่นสิkanokwan du fa laep nan siKanokwan, look at that lightning.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanน่ากลัวจังเลยค่ะวิทวัสna klua chang loei kha witthawatIt's so scary, Witthawat.
- วิทวัส Witthawatมันเป็นแค่ฟ้าแลบเฉยๆman pen khae fa laep choei choeiIt is just lightning.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanแต่แสงมันสว่างมากเลยนะคะtae saeng man sawang mak loei na khaBut the light is very bright.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lightning” translations and entries ฟ้าแลบ, วิชชุ, สายฟ้า, วิเชียร, อสนีบาต, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ฟ้าแลบ, วิชชุ, วิเชียร, สายฟ้า, CC BY-SA 4.0.
