รองเท้า
rɔɔng-táao/rɔːŋ˧.tʰaːw˦˥/
The English word "shoes" is รองเท้า (rɔɔng-táao) in Thai.
รองเท้า is used to refer to footwear worn on the feet for protection.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of รอง (rɔɔng), meaning 'to support/underneath' and เท้า (táao), meaning 'foot'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting shoes, use the classifier คู่ (khûu), which means 'pair'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is rɔɔng-táao.
When do people say it?
In Thailand, it is standard practice to take off your shoes before entering a home, certain shops or temples.
Did you know?
- In certain Thai slang, referring to someone's เท้า or feet can be an insult to their social standing or manners, rather than just a comment on their footwear.
- The Thai word for 'socks' is ถุงเท้า (thǔng-táao), which literally translates to 'foot bag', using the same เท้า (táao) for 'foot' found in รองเท้า.
- In Thailand, it is often considered disrespectful to point your รองเท้า or feet toward the image of the king, monks or sacred objects.
Examples in context
- ถอดรองเท้าของคุณTake off your shoes.This sentence is useful for practicing how to tell someone to take off their รองเท้า.Tatoeba #8695481 by pastelite, translation #18096 by CK
- รองเท้าฉันอยู่ไหน?Where are my shoes?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of your รองเท้า.Tatoeba #8717413 by pastelite, translation #3820862 by CK
- ทอมมีรองเท้าสามคู่Tom has three pairs of shoes.This sentence is useful for using the classifier for a quantity of รองเท้า.Tatoeba #11113922 by Somsak, translation #8040319 by CK
- เธอซื้อรองเท้าแบรนด์ไหนใหม่ล่าสุด?Which brand of shoes did you recently buy?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a shoe store, Nicha is helping Witthawat choose footwear.
- วิทวัส Witthawatรองเท้าคู่นี้ใส่สบายไหมครับrong-thao khu ni sai sa-bai mai khrapAre these shoes comfortable to wear?
- ณิชา Nichaใช่ค่ะ เหมาะกับคุณมากchai kha, mor kap khun makYes, they suit you very well.
- วิทวัส Witthawatผมจะเอาคู่นี้ครับphom cha ao khu ni khrapI will take this pair.
- ณิชา Nichaได้เลยค่ะ เดี๋ยวเตรียมให้ค่ะdai loei kha, diao triam hai khaCertainly, I will get them ready for you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry รองเท้า, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
