รวย
ruai/rua̯j˧/
The English word 'rich' can be expressed in Thai using รวย (ruai). Wiktionary also lists มีเงิน (mii-ngən).
Meaning: having wealth (adj)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| รวย | ruai | /rua̯j˧/ |
| มีเงิน | mii-ngən | /miː˧.ŋɤn˧/ |
The primary way to describe someone as possessing wealth is by using รวย. You can also use the phrase มีเงิน as a synonym to describe being rich.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase มีเงิน literally means 'to have money'.
Which one should you use?
While รวย describes the general state of being wealthy, มีเงิน is more literal and can sometimes imply simply having cash on hand or a specific amount of money available.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Thai dialects, the word ฉลาด is used to refer to someone who is rich or wealthy.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone is 'very rich', you can add the intensifier มาก after the word รวย to form รวยมาก.
How do you pronounce it?
รวย is pronounced /rua̯j˧/.
Did you know?
- The concept of being 'rich' in Thai culture is often linked to the term บารมี, which refers to a spiritual or social power and merit accumulated over lifetimes.
- There is a common Thai belief in 'wealth magnets', where certain items or phrases are placed in the home to attract the state of being รวย.
- Thai speakers often use the phrase รวย in 'lucky draw' contexts or New Year greetings to wish someone prosperity rather than just describing their current bank balance.
Examples in context
- เขารวยHe's rich.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is rich using รวย.Tatoeba #8692141 by pastelite, translation #1790802 by Spamster
- เธอจะแต่งงานกับคนรวยShe will get married to a rich man.This sentence shows how to describe a person being married to a rich person using รวย.Tatoeba #10277299 by Somsak, translation #316788 by CK
- ถ้าฉันรวยฉัน จะไปต่างประเทศIf I were rich, I would go abroad.This sentence illustrates a conditional statement about being rich using รวย.Tatoeba #8703158 by pastelite, translation #241919 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a successful businessman.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatคุณได้ยินเรื่องนักธุรกิจคนนั้นไหมkhun dai yin rueang nak thura kit khon nan maiDid you hear about that businessman?
- พิมล Pimonคนที่รวยมากคนนั้นหรือคะkhon thi rueai mak khon nan rue khaThe one who is very rich?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatใช่ครับ เขาประสบความสำเร็จมากchai khrap khao prasop khwam sam ret makYes, he is very successful.
- พิมล Pimonเขาน่าอิจฉาจังเลยค่ะkhao na it cha chang loei khaHe is so enviable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rich” translations and entries รวย, มีเงิน, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
