น้องสาว
nɔ́ɔng-sǎao/nɔːŋ˦˥.saːw˩˩˦/
The English phrase "little sister" is translated into Thai as น้องสาว (nɔ́ɔng-sǎao).
น้องสาว is used to refer to a female sibling who is younger than the speaker. Beyond biological relationships, it is also used to describe a girl or a woman who is younger than the speaker, even if they are not related.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of น้อง (nɔ́ɔng), meaning younger sibling and สาว (sǎao), meaning female or young woman.
How do you pronounce it?
nɔ́ɔng-sǎao (/nɔːŋ˦˥.saːw˩˩˦/)
When do people say it?
The word น้อง alone is often used to refer to younger siblings or close friends in a polite and endearing manner.
Did you know?
- If you call a woman น้องสาว in a romantic context, it might sound like you are putting her in a 'little sister' zone, which can unintentionally discourage romantic interest.
- In Thailand, calling a stranger น้อง is a common way to be friendly or polite. It signals that the speaker views themselves as an older sibling figure to the other person.
- The word สาว can also mean 'maiden' or 'young lady' in a poetic sense. This gives น้องสาว a connotation of youth and purity that goes beyond simple kinship.
Examples in context
- น้องสาวของฉันน่ารักมากnong-sao khong chan na-rak makMy little sister is very cute.
- คุณมีน้องสาวไหม?khun mi nong-sao mai?Do you have a little sister?
- น้องสาวกำลังเรียนหนังสืออยู่nong-sao kam-lang rian nang-sue yuMy little sister is studying.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their families at a cafe.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatณิชา มีน้องสาวไหม?Nicha mi nong-sao mai?Nicha, do you have a little sister?
- ณิชา Nichaมีค่ะ น้องสาวของฉันเรียนอยู่มหาวิทยาลัยMi kha. Nong-sao khong chan rian yu ma-ha-wit-tha-ya-lai.Yes, I do. My little sister is studying at a university.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatน้องสาวคุณอายุเท่าไหร่?Nong-sao khun a-yu thao-rai?How old is your little sister?
- ณิชา Nichaเธออายุยี่สิบปีค่ะThoe a-yu yi-sip pi kha.She is twenty years old.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry น้องสาว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
