งั้น ๆ
ngán-ngán/ŋan˦˥.ŋan˦˥/
In Thai, "so so" is expressed as งั้น ๆ (ngán-ngán).
The phrase งั้น ๆ is used to describe something that is mediocre, not particularly good or not particularly bad. This phrase is commonly used as a response to questions about how something is, such as how a movie was or how a meal tasted.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is formed by reduplicating the word งั้น (ngán) to create the adverbial meaning of 'mediocre' or 'so-so'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is formed by repeating the word งั้น to function as an adverb.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ngán-ngán and the IPA is /ŋan˦˥.ŋan˦˥/.
Did you know?
- In Thai culture, using งั้น ๆ can be a polite way to avoid giving a negative review, as direct criticism is often avoided to maintain social harmony.
- If you use งั้น ๆ to describe a person's character, it can sound quite dismissive or insulting, implying the person is unremarkable or unimportant.
- The word งั้น comes from a combination of a word meaning 'way/manner' and a word meaning 'that', making the literal sense 'in that way'.
Examples in context
- คุณรู้สึกอย่างไรกับบริการที่นี่? – พอใช้ครับHow do you feel about the service here? – So so, sir.
- รสชาติอาหารร้านนี้งั้น ๆrot chat a-han ran ni ngan nganThe taste of the food at this restaurant is so so.
- หนังเรื่องใหม่ที่ดูงั้น ๆ มากnang rueang mai thi du ngan ngan makThe new movie I watched was very so so.
- เขาก็เป็นคนงั้น ๆkhao ko pen khon ngan nganHe is just an ordinary person.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they recently watched.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritหนังเรื่องนั้นสนุกไหมnang rueang nan sanuk maiWas that movie fun?
- พิมล Pimonก็งั้น ๆ นะko ngan ngan naIt was just so so.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritงั้นเราไปดูเรื่องอื่นกันไหมngan rao pai du rueang uen kan maiThen shall we go watch something else?
- พิมล Pimonได้เลยdai loeiSure.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry งั้น ๆ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries งั้น, CC BY-SA 4.0.
