สัญญา
sǎn-yaa/san˩˩˦.jaː˧/
The English word 'promise' is translated into Thai as สัญญา (sǎn-yaa).
สัญญา functions as both a noun meaning 'promise' or 'contract' and as a verb meaning 'to promise' or 'to contract'.
Meaning: vow (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To create specific variations of the word, you can add other words: adding the word คำ before สัญญา creates คำสัญญา, which specifically emphasizes the spoken words of the vow. To say 'to break a promise', you place the verb ผิด (to be wrong/to err) before สัญญา to form ผิดสัญญา. To say 'to keep a promise', use the phrase รักษาคำสัญญา, which literally means 'to maintain the word of the promise'.
How do you pronounce it?
sǎn-yaa
Did you know?
- In Buddhist psychology, which heavily influences Thai, สัญญา is a technical term for 'memory' or the mental faculty of recognizing and naming things.
- To keep a promise, Thai uses the verb รักษา, which is the same word used for 'treating' an illness or 'preserving' a forest.
- The word สัญญา originates from Pali and Sanskrit roots that originally referred to 'perception' or 'recognition' rather than a verbal commitment.
Examples in context
- ฉันสัญญาI promise.This example shows how to use สัญญา to say 'I promise'.Tatoeba #8692169 by pastelite, translation #2111800 by CK
- คุณไม่ควรผิดสัญญาYou should not break your promise.This example shows how to use สัญญา when talking about breaking a promise.Tatoeba #7878352 by pastelite, translation #324205 by CC
- ผมสัญญาว่าจะทำให้ดีที่สุดI promise to do my very best.This example shows how to use สัญญา to express a commitment to do one's best.Tatoeba #10567689 by Somsak, translation #8938014 by CK
- ฉันสัญญาว่าจะทำงานให้ดีที่สุดค่ะI promise to deliver the best work.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a planned trip.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitจำสัญญาของเราได้ไหมjam san-ya khong rao dai maiDo you remember our promise?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinจำได้ค่ะ ว่าจะไปเที่ยวด้วยกันjam dai kha wa ja pai thiao duay kanI remember, that we would travel together.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitฉันจะไม่ลืมสัญญาครั้งนี้เด็ดขาดchan ja mai luem san-ya khrang nee det khatI will definitely not forget this promise.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinดีค่ะ ชลสิทธิ์ต้องรักษาสัญญานะdee kha chonsit tong rak sa san-ya naGood, Chonsit must keep the promise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “promise” translations and entries สัญญา, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries สัญญา, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
