พี่สาว
pîi-sǎao/pʰiː˥˩.saːw˩˩˦/
In Thai, the word for sister is พี่สาว (pîi-sǎao). Wiktionary also lists น้องสาว (nɔ́ɔng-sǎao).
Meaning: woman or girl having the same parents (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| พี่สาว | pîi-sǎao | /pʰiː˥˩.saːw˩˩˦/ |
| น้องสาว | nɔ́ɔng-sǎao | /nɔːŋ˦˥.saːw˩˩˦/ |
The terms for sister are used to describe a woman or girl having the same parents. Beyond biological relationships, these terms are frequently used as pronouns or titles to address women who are slightly older or younger than the speaker, even if they are not biological siblings.
What does it mean word for word?
The word for older sister, พี่สาว, is composed of พี่ (older sibling) and สาว (female/young woman). The word for younger sister, น้องสาว, is composed of น้อง (younger sibling) and สาว (female/young woman).
How do you pronounce it?
pîi-sǎao (/pʰiː˥˩.saːw˩˩˦/).
Did you know?
- The word สาว in พี่สาว can also mean 'virgin' or 'unmarried woman' depending on the context, reflecting an old cultural emphasis on a woman's age and marital status.
- The term พี่สาว shares a common ancestor with the phrase 'Pi Sau' found in the Ahom language, which was spoken by the people who established the Ahom kingdom in present-day Assam, India.
- When addressing an older woman in a shop or market, using พี่สาว can be a strategic way to sound friendly and persuade the seller to give a discount.
Examples in context
- น้องสาวผมชอบวาดรูปMy sister likes painting.This sentence shows how to express a preference regarding the word น้องสาว.Tatoeba #10568769 by Somsak, translation #6622811 by CarpeLanam
- นี่คือน้องสาวของฉันThis is my younger sister.This sentence is useful for introducing someone using the word น้องสาว.Tatoeba #8709497 by pastelite, translation #3378980 by boosure
- ฉันไม่มีพี่สาวหรือน้องสาวI do not have a sister.This sentence demonstrates the use of the word พี่สาว in a negative context.Tatoeba #8669120 by pastelite, translation #261770 by CC
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their families at a cafe.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanคุณมีพี่สาวไหมคะkhun mi phi sao mai khaDo you have an older sister?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatผมมีพี่สาวหนึ่งคนครับphom mi phi sao nueng khon khrapI have one older sister.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanพี่สาวของคุณทำงานที่ไหนคะphi sao khong khun tham ngan thi nai khaWhere does your sister work?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatพี่สาวของผมเป็นหมอครับphi sao khong phom pen mor khrapMy sister is a doctor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sister” translations and entries พี่สาว, น้องสาว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries น้องสาว, พี่สาว, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
