How to Say "River" in Thai - How To Say Guide

แม่น้ำ

mɛ̂ɛ-náam/mɛː˥˩.naːm˦˥/

The Thai word for 'river' is แม่น้ำ (mɛ̂ɛ-náam).

The term แม่น้ำ refers to a large stream that drains a landmass.

Meaning: large stream which drains a landmass (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is a combination of แม่ (mɛ̂ɛ), meaning 'mother' and น้ำ (náam), meaning 'water'.

While แม่น้ำ is used for a large river, the word คลอง is used when referring to a canal or a small stream.

The word consists of two syllables: mɛ̂ɛ-náam.

The word น้ำ ('water') is so versatile that it is used in the term for 'river' but also in น้ำใจ ('nam jai'), which translates to 'water of the heart' to mean kindness.
Thai uses the word แม่ ('mother') to describe other 'primary' things, such as แม่พิมพ์ for a 'mold' or 'template' in printing.
In Thai culture, the river is not just a body of water but is often treated as a living entity that requires respect and ritual.

แม่น้ำไหล
A river flows.
This sentence shows the verb for 'flows' used with แม่น้ำ.
Tatoeba #8669218 by pastelite, translation #1128754 by cntrational
แม่น้ำกว้าง
The river is wide.
This sentence describes the width of a แม่น้ำ.
Tatoeba #8669220 by pastelite, translation #45748 by CK
แม่น้ำอันตราย
The river is dangerous.
This sentence describes the danger level of a แม่น้ำ.
Tatoeba #8669222 by pastelite, translation #45760 by CK
แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา
Mae Naam Chao Phraya
เดินเล่นริมน้ำ
To take a walk along the river
13 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two people are walking along a riverside park.

ธีรภัทร Theeraphat

แม่น้ำสวยจังเลยนะ
mae nam suai jang loei na
The river is so beautiful.
สิรินทร์ Sirin

ใช่ค่ะ อากาศดีมากด้วย
chai kha a-kaat di maak duai
Yes, the weather is very good too.
ธีรภัทร Theeraphat

คุณอยากเดินเล่นต่อไหม
khun yaak doen len tor mai
Do you want to walk more?
สิรินทร์ Sirin

ไปสิคะ ฉันชอบที่นี่
pai si kha chan chop thi nii
Let's go, I like it here.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏