ยา
yaa/jaː˧/
The English word "medicine" is translated into Thai as ยา (yaa).
ยา is a noun used to describe a substance that promotes healing. When discussing specific types of medicine, you can use related terms such as ยาแก้ปวด for a painkiller or ยาฆ่าเชื้อ for an antibiotic.
Meaning: substance which promotes healing (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term ยาแก้ปวด breaks down into ยา (medicine) and แก้ปวด (to solve or relieve pain). The term ยาฆ่าเชื้อ breaks down into ยา (medicine) and ฆ่าเชื้อ (to kill germs or infection).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Thai, when you want to say you are "taking" medicine, you use the verb กิน (to eat) rather than a verb meaning "to take." For example, the phrase กินยา means "to take medicine."
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as yaa (/jaː˧/).
Did you know?
- The word ยา is a homonym in Thai, meaning it can refer to medicine or be used as a high-ranking title for nobility, as seen in the term เจ้าพระยา.
- While ยา means medicine, Thai uses the word ยา in the term ยาสีฟัน for toothpaste, literally meaning 'tooth medicine'.
- The word ยา appears in the term ยาหอม, a traditional Thai aromatic medicine used to revive people who have fainted or feel dizzy.
Examples in context
- ยามีรสขมThe medicine tastes bitter.This sentence is useful for describing the taste of ยา.Tatoeba #8669165 by pastelite, translation #43550 by CK
- เช้านี้ผมลืมกินยาI forgot to take my medicine this morning.This sentence is useful for describing the action of eating ยา.Tatoeba #10568781 by Somsak, translation #7010731 by CK
- ฉันดีขึ้นหลังจากกินยานั้นI got better after taking that medicine.This sentence is useful for describing the effect of taking ยา.Tatoeba #11127353 by Somsak, translation #5851632 by CK
- ฉันต้องการยาแก้ปวดหัวI need headache medicine.
- ฉันต้องการยาทาแผลI need wound ointment.
Example conversation
At home, Witthawat is looking for his medicine.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinวิทวัส หา ยา เจอ ไหมWitthawat ha ya choe maiWitthawat, did you find the medicine?
- วิทวัส Witthawatยังไม่เจอเลยครับYang mai choe loei krapI haven't found it yet.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinอยู่ในตู้ยา บนโต๊ะนะYu nai tu ya bon to naIt is in the medicine cabinet on the table.
- วิทวัส Witthawatอ๋อ เจอแล้วครับ ขอบคุณครับO choe laeo krap khop khun krapOh, I found it. Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “medicine” translations and entries ยา, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
