คนลามก
khon la-mok
The English phrase 'pervert' is translated into Thai as คนลามก (khon la-mok).
The term describes a person who is sexually perverted or lewd. While it can be used in a derogatory or clinical sense to label a pervert, it is also commonly used to describe someone who is simply 'dirty-minded' or 'lewd'.
Meaning: sexually perverted person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word คนลามก is composed of 'khon' (person) and 'la-mok' (lewd/obscene).
Which one should you use?
The standard form is คนลามก, but you may also encounter ไอ้ลามก, which functions as a more direct way to say 'you pervert' or 'you lewd guy'.
How do you pronounce it?
khon la-mok
Did you know?
- Calling an elder or a person of higher social status ไอ้ลามก is a massive social transgression in Thailand, much more than a simple insult.
- The word ลามก can describe a person, but it is equally used to describe objects, such as a 'lewd' book or an 'obscene' movie.
- The nuance of 'perversion' in Thai is often tied more to the concept of 'obscenity' than to the psychological definition used in Western medicine.
Examples in context
- อย่าไปคุยกับคนลามกคนนั้นนะya pai khui kap khon lamok khon nan naDon't go talking to that pervert.
- ผู้ชายคนนั้นเป็นคนลามกมากphu chai khon nan pen khon lamok makThat man is a real pervert.
- ฉันไม่ชอบพวกคนลามกเลยchan mai chop phuak khon lamok loeiI don't like perverts at all.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a suspicious man they saw at the park.
- วิทวัส Witthawatผู้ชายคนเมื่อกี้ดูน่ากลัวนะphu chai khon muea ki du na klua naThat man just now looked scary.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanเขาดูเหมือนคนลามกเลยkhao du muean khon lamok loeiHe looks like a pervert.
- วิทวัส Witthawatใช่ ฉันรู้สึกไม่ค่อยปลอดภัยchai chan ru suek mai khoi plot phaiYes, I don't feel very safe.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanเราเดินไปที่อื่นกันเถอะrao doen pai thi uen kan thoeLet's walk somewhere else.
