คน
kon/kʰon˧/
In Thai, the word for person is คน (kon).
The word คน is used to refer to a human being or a person. It is frequently used in compound phrases to describe specific types of people, such as คนดี for a good person or คนเลว for a bad person.
Meaning: specifically a human being (noun)
Which one should you use?
While คน is the common way to say person, มนุษย์ is a more formal or scientific term used to refer to a human being.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word คน functions as a classifier for people, meaning 'person' or 'individual' when it is placed after a number or a demonstrative. When used as a noun meaning 'person', it is often preceded by a classifier or used in compound phrases to describe a type of person.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kon.
Did you know?
- The word คน can mean both 'person' and 'to stir' or 'to mix'.
- If you travel to neighboring countries like Laos or parts of China, you will find nearly identical words for 'person', such as the Lao ຄົນ or the Shan ၵူၼ်း, because they all share a common linguistic ancestor.
- In Thai grammar, คน acts as a classifier, which means it is required after a number to count people, such as saying 'three people' as 'three person person'.
Examples in context
- เขาเป็นคนที่หยาบคายHe is a rude person.This sentence uses คน to describe a rude person.Tatoeba #8722734 by pastelite, translation #303973 by CK
- ทอมไม่ใช่คนตื่นเช้าTom isn't a morning person.This sentence uses คน to describe a morning person.Tatoeba #10669238 by Somsak, translation #1024731 by CK
- คุณคือคนที่เราต้องการYou're just the person we need.This sentence uses คน to identify a specific person needed.Tatoeba #11127325 by Somsak, translation #3413303 by CK
- คนที่นั่งอยู่ข้างๆ คือเพื่อนของฉันThe person sitting next to me is my friend.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Teerapat and Nicha are talking about a new person in their office.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatคนนั้นคือใครครับkhon nan khue khrai khrapWho is that person?
- ณิชา Nichaเขาเป็นคนใหม่ที่เพิ่งมาทำงานค่ะkhao pen khon mai thi phoeng ma tham ngan khaHe is a new person who just started working.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatเขาดูเป็นคนใจดีนะครับkhao du pen khon chai di na khrapHe looks like a kind person.
- ณิชา Nichaใช่ค่ะ เขาเป็นคนสุภาพมากchai kha khao pen khon suphap makYes, he is a very polite person.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry คน, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
