แม่ยาย
mɛ̂ɛ-yaai/mɛː˥˩.jaːj˧/
The English phrase mother-in-law is translated into Thai as แม่ยาย (mɛ̂ɛ-yaai). Wiktionary also lists แม่สามี (mɛ̂ɛ-sǎa-mii) and แม่ผัว (mɛ̂ɛ-pǔua).
Meaning: spouse's mother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| แม่ยาย | mɛ̂ɛ-yaai | /mɛː˥˩.jaːj˧/ |
| แม่สามี | mɛ̂ɛ-sǎa-mii | /mɛː˥˩.saː˩˩˦.miː˧/ |
| แม่ผัว | mɛ̂ɛ-pǔua | /mɛː˥˩.pʰua̯˩˩˦/ |
In Thai, the term used for mother-in-law depends entirely on whether you are referring to the mother of a husband or the mother of a wife.
What does it mean word for word?
The term แม่ยาย is composed of แม่ (mother) and ยาย (maternal grandmother or an older woman). The term แม่สามี is composed of แม่ (mother) and สามี (husband).
Which one should you use?
แม่ยาย is used specifically for the mother of one's wife. In contrast, แม่สามี is used specifically for the mother of one's husband.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
แม่ผัว is a more colloquial and sometimes blunt way to refer to a husband's mother.
How do you pronounce it?
mɛ̂ɛ-yaai (/mɛː˥˩.jaːj˧/)
Did you know?
- Thai kinship terms like these are often used as 'social glue' to create a sense of family even with people who are not actually related to you.
- The term แม่ผัว is so closely associated with the 'evil mother-in-law' trope in Thai soap operas that it can evoke a stereotype of a strict or controlling woman.
- The word สามี in แม่สามี is a formal loanword, likely derived from Sanskrit, which makes the term sound very respectful.
Examples in context
- แม่ยายของฉันใจดีมากmae-yai khong chan chai-di makMy mother-in-law is very kind.
- ฉันกำลังไปหาแม่ยายchan kam-lang pai ha mae-yaiI am going to see my mother-in-law.
- แม่ยายทำอาหารอร่อยที่สุดmae-yai tham a-han a-roi thi-sutMy mother-in-law cooks the best food.
Example conversation
A couple is discussing their weekend plans.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitวันเสาร์นี้เราไปหาแม่ยายกันไหมwan sao ni rao pai ha mae yai kan maiShall we visit your mother-in-law this Saturday?
- พิมล Pimonไปสิ ท่านบ่นว่าคิดถึงคุณpai si than bon wa khit thueng khunYes, she mentioned that she misses you.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitผมควรซื้ออะไรไปฝากแม่ยายดีphom khuan sue arai pai fak mae yai diWhat should I buy for my mother-in-law?
- พิมล Pimonซื้อผลไม้ไปก็ดีค่ะsue phon la mai pai ko di khaBuying some fruit would be good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother-in-law” translations and entries แม่ยาย, แม่สามี, แม่ผัว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries แม่ผัว, แม่ยาย, แม่สามี, CC BY-SA 4.0.
