สอดรู้สอดเห็น
The English phrase nosey is translated into Thai as สอดรู้สอดเห็น.
To say 'a nosey person', you place the noun คน (person) before the phrase to form คนสอดรู้สอดเห็น.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a compound of two parts: สอดรู้ (to poke/interfere in knowing) and สอดเห็น (to poke/interfere in seeing/observing).
Did you know?
- In casual speech, Thai people might use the word เผือก (which literally means 'taro root') as a slang term for being nosey, suggesting that someone is 'digging' for information.
- In Thai culture, being สอดรู้สอดเห็น is often linked to the concept of 'saving face'. Intervening too much in others' business can cause someone to 'lose face', making the trait socially riskier than in some Western cultures.
- If a Thai person describes someone as ช่างสงสัย instead of สอดรู้สอดเห็น, they are praising their inquisitiveness or scientific curiosity rather than criticizing them for being nosey.
Examples in context
- อย่าทำตัวสอดรู้สอดเห็นเรื่องคนอื่นเลยya tham tua sot-ru-sot-hen rueang khon uen loeiDon't be nosey about other people's business.
- เขาเป็นคนสอดรู้สอดเห็นมากkhao pen khon sot-ru-sot-hen makHe is a very nosey person.
- เพื่อนบ้านข้างบ้านเราสอดรู้สอดเห็นเกินไปphuean-ban khang-ban rao sot-ru-sot-hen koen paiOur neighbor is too nosey.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about a co-worker who asks too many questions.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanชลสิทธิ์ ทำไมเขาถามเรื่องส่วนตัวเยอะจังChonsit thammai khao tham rueang suan tua yue changChonsit, why is he asking so many personal questions?
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitเขาเป็นคนสอดรู้สอดเห็นแบบนี้แหละkhao pen khon sot ru sot hen baep ni laeHe's just a nosey person like that.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanฉันรู้สึกอึดอัดมากเลยchan rusuek uet at mak loeiI feel very uncomfortable.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitกนกวรรณ ไม่ต้องไปสนใจเขาหรอกKanokwan mai tong pai sonchai khao rokKanokwan, just ignore him.
