บุญ
bun/bun˧/
The English word "merit" is translated into Thai as บุญ (bun).
บุญ is used to describe the spiritual credit or positive energy accumulated through good deeds. This concept is central to the belief that such merit influences a person's future well-being and their rebirth.
Meaning: to deserve, earn (verb)
Which one should you use?
The conceptual opposite of บุญ is บาป, which refers to sin or the negative spiritual weight accumulated from bad actions.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express receiving or gaining merit, place the verb ได้ (to get/receive) before the noun บุญ to form the construction ได้บุญ. To express the act of performing a good deed to create merit, combine the noun บุญ with the verb ทำ (to do/make) to form the common phrase ทำบุญ.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is bun.
When do people say it?
In Thai culture, บุญ refers to the spiritual credit or positive energy accumulated through good deeds, which influences one's future well-being and rebirth.
Did you know?
- In Thai, one can 'transfer' merit to others, such as deceased relatives, through specific ceremonies.
- Thai people may describe a sudden stroke of good luck as บุญเก่า, which means 'old merit' from a previous life.
- While บุญ is positive, the opposite บาป is so powerful that people may describe a 'sinful' or 'bad' person as บาปหนา, meaning they have 'thick sin'.
Examples in context
- เมื่อเราช่วยเพื่อนๆ แบ่งปันอาหารในช่วงเทศกาล ก็ถือเป็นการทำกุศลWhen we help our friends and share food during festivals, it's considered an act of merit.
- ผมจะไปวัดทำบุญในวันเสาร์I will go to the temple to make merit on Saturday.
Example conversation
Nicha and Teerapat are discussing a friend's sudden success.
- ณิชา Nichaเขาโชคดีมากที่ได้งานนี้khao chok di mak thi dai ngan niHe is very lucky to get this job.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatใช่ครับ เขาคงมีบุญมากchai krap khao khong mi bun makYes, he must have a lot of merit.
- ณิชา Nichaฉันก็อยากมีบุญแบบนั้นบ้างchan ko yak mi bun baep nan bangI want to have that kind of merit too.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatลองทำความดีดูนะครับlong tham khwam di du na krapTry doing some good deeds.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry บุญ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
