แฟน
fɛɛn/fɛːn˧/
In Thai, the phrase for my girlfriend is แฟน (fɛɛn).
The term แฟน is used to refer to a female partner in a romantic relationship. However, it is a gender-neutral term that can mean either 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'.
Which one should you use?
For example, แฟนของฉัน is a more grammatically complete way to specify 'my' partner and แฟนของผม means 'the partner of mine'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify 'my' in a more formal or grammatically complete way, you can add ของฉัน after แฟน, resulting in แฟนของฉัน.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is fɛɛn.
Did you know?
- The Thai word แฟน was borrowed from the English word 'fan'. Originally it referred to an admirer or a devotee before evolving into a term for a romantic partner.
- Depending on the social hierarchy, a woman might refer to her partner as พี่ if he is older, even if they are in a romantic relationship, blending family terms with romantic ones.
- In some contexts, Thai people use the word กิ๊ก to describe a person who is more than a friend but not quite a แฟน. It often refers to a 'side' partner or a flirtation.
Examples in context
- แฟนของฉันเป็นนักเต้นที่ดีMy girlfriend is a good dancer.This sentence is useful for practicing how to describe a partner's skill using แฟน.Tatoeba #8675708 by pastelite, translation #250280 by mamat
- เธอคือแฟนฉันYou are my lover
- แฟนผมชื่อว่า เจนนี่My girlfriend's name is Jane
- แฟนของผมทำอาหารอร่อยมากMy girlfriend cooks delicious food
- แฟนฉันสวยมากfaen chan suay maakMy girlfriend is very beautiful.
- แฟนฉันเป็นคนใจดีfaen chan pen khon jai deeMy girlfriend is a kind person.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their relationships at a cafe.
- ณิชา Nichaแฟนคุณทำงานที่ไหนfaen khun tham ngan thee naiWhere does your girlfriend work?
- วิทวัส Witthawatแฟนฉันเป็นหมอครับfaen chan pen mor krapMy girlfriend is a doctor.
- ณิชา Nichaโห แฟนคุณเก่งมากเลยho, faen khun keng maak loeyWow, your girlfriend is very talented.
- วิทวัส Witthawatขอบคุณครับkhop khun krapThank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry แฟน, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries แฟน, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
