ดื้อ
dʉ̂ʉ/dɯː˥˩/
The Thai word for stubborn is ดื้อ (dʉ̂ʉ).
ดื้อ is commonly used to describe children who are disobedient or people who are headstrong. While it can mean 'stubborn' in terms of opinion, it is most frequently used in the context of a child being disobedient.
Meaning: refusing to move or change one's opinion (adj)
Which one should you use?
The compound form ดื้อรั้น is a more formal and intense way to express being obstinate or stubborn.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say someone is 'very stubborn', you add the word มาก (mâak) after ดื้อ.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced dʉ̂ʉ (/dɯː˥˩/).
Did you know?
- In Thai medical contexts, the term ดื้อ is used to describe 'drug resistance', such as when bacteria become stubborn and refuse to be killed by antibiotics.
- To intensify ดื้อ, speakers may use the reduplication ดื้อๆ, which can shift the meaning to describe someone acting impulsively or suddenly without warning.
- In certain contexts, calling someone ดื้อ can actually be a way of expressing affection, especially when parents describe their young children as 'naughty' or 'little rebels'.
Examples in context
- คุณสามารถบอกว่าเขาเป็นคนดื้อดึงYou can say that he is stubborn.
- เด็กคนนี้ดื้อมากเลยdek khon ni due mak loeiThis child is very stubborn.
Example conversation
Thanakrit and Phimon are discussing a small child at a party.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritเด็กคนนั้นดื้อไหมครับdek khon nan due mai khrapIs that child stubborn?
- พิมล Pimonดื้อนิดหน่อยค่ะ แต่ก็น่ารักdue nit noi kha tae ko na rakA little bit stubborn, but cute.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritผมก็เคยดื้อตอนเด็กๆphom ko khoei due ton dek dekI was also stubborn when I was a kid.
- พิมล Pimonคุณก็น่าจะดื้อเหมือนกันนะคะkhun ko na cha due muean kan na khaYou were probably stubborn too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ดื้อ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
