ศาสตราจารย์
sàat-dtraa-jaan/saːt̚˨˩.traː˧.t͡ɕaːn˧/
The Thai word for professor is ศาสตราจารย์ (sàat-dtraa-jaan).
ศาสตราจารย์ refers to a teacher or faculty member at a college or university. It is used in official contexts or when referring specifically to the high-ranking academic position of 'Professor'.
Meaning: teacher or faculty member at a college or university, regardless of formal rank (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ศาสตราจารย์ refers specifically to the high rank of Professor, the word อาจารย์ (ajarn) is the much more common way to address or refer to any university lecturer or teacher.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a person with the formal title of Professor, it is common to add the honorific ท่าน (tân) before the title to show high respect, forming ท่านศาสตราจารย์.
How do you pronounce it?
sàat-dtraa-jaan
Did you know?
- In Thai culture, อาจารย์ is often used as a title of respect for anyone with specialized knowledge, including traditional healers or martial arts masters, even if they have no university degree.
- The root word ศาสตร refers not only to modern science but also to ancient treatises and scriptures, reflecting a time when professors were primarily keepers of religious law.
- In very formal ceremonies, the title ศาสตราจารย์ may be preceded by a royal decoration title, creating a long string of honorifics before the person's name.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their new lecturer in the hallway.
- พิมล Pimonชลสิทธิ์ รู้ไหมว่าใครจะมาสอนวันนี้chonsit roo mai wa khrai cha ma sorn wan-niiChonsit, do you know who is teaching today?
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitเห็นว่าจะเป็นศาสตราจารย์จากต่างประเทศครับhen wa cha pen sattra-chan chak tang pra-thet khrapI heard it will be a professor from abroad.
- พิมล Pimonน่าตื่นเต้นจังเลยนะna tuen-ten chang loei naThat sounds really exciting.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitใช่ครับ รีบไปเข้าห้องเรียนกันเถอะchai khrap rip pai khao hong rian kan thoeYes, let's hurry to the classroom.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ศาสตราจารย์, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
