สวย
sǔai/sua̯j˩˩˦/
สวย (sǔai) is the Thai word for "pretty".
สวย means pleasant or attractive. While it can be used to describe objects or scenery, it is most commonly used to describe the physical attractiveness of women and children.
Meaning: especially of women and children: pleasant, attractive (adj)
Which one should you use?
In Thai, you should use สวย to describe women, but use หล่อ to describe men as "handsome".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "very pretty", add the word มาก after สวย to form สวยมาก.
How do you pronounce it?
/sua̯j˩˩˦/
Did you know?
- Be careful with your pronunciation, as the word สวย (pretty) sounds very similar to the word ซวย (suai), which actually means 'bad luck' or 'to be cursed'.
- The Thai word สวย is likely a loanword from the Teochew Chinese word 媠, which also means 'beautiful'.
- In some contexts, the word สวย is used in the phrase สวยงาม to describe a 'beautiful' moral act or a graceful gesture.
Examples in context
- พี่สาวหรือน้องสาวทั้งสองสวยBoth sisters are pretty.This sentence shows how to use สวย when referring to sisters.Tatoeba #8669099 by pastelite, translation #47569 by CK
- คุณสวยมากครับ/ค่ะYou are very pretty.
- เธอสวยงามมากเลยYou are incredibly beautiful.
- คุณน่ารักจังเลยYou are so cute.
- เด็กคนนั้นสวยมากdek khon nan suay makThat child is very pretty.
- คุณสวยในชุดนี้khun suay nai chut niYou are pretty in this dress.
Example conversation
The two friends are looking at a photo of a baby.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatลูกสาวของคุณสวยจังเลยluk sao khong khun suai chang loeiYour daughter is so pretty.
- ณิชา Nichaขอบคุณมากค่ะ ธีรภัทรkhop khun mak kha TeerapatThank you very much, Teerapat.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatเธอเหมือนคุณตอนเด็กๆthoe muean khun ton dek dekShe looks like you when you were young.
- ณิชา Nichaฉันดีใจที่คุณคิดแบบนั้นchan di chai thi khun khit baep nanI am glad you think so.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry สวย, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries สวย, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
