สูง
sǔung/suːŋ˩˩˦/
The Thai word for tall (referring to a person) is สูง (sǔung).
The adjective สูง is the standard way to describe a person's stature. It is also used to describe objects that are high.
Meaning: of a person (adj)
Which one should you use?
While สูง can mean both tall and high, you should use เตี้ย when you want to say a person is short. Do not use the word for 'low' to describe a short person.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say that someone is 'very tall', add มาก after the adjective: สูงมาก.
How do you pronounce it?
sǔung (/suːŋ˩˩˦/)
Did you know?
- The word สูง descends from Proto-Southwestern Tai and is related to the Middle Chinese words 嵩 and 崧.
- In Thai culture, describing someone as สูง in the context of 'high' morality or virtue is a common way to show deep respect.
- While สูง describes a person's height, you can also use it to describe someone's social status or 'high' rank in a hierarchy.
Examples in context
- พ่อของคุณสูงYour father is tall.This sentence is useful for saying someone is tall using the form สูง.Tatoeba #8719805 by pastelite, translation #70957 by CK
- ทอมเป็นชายร่างสูงTom is a tall man.This sentence is useful for describing a tall man using the form สูง.Tatoeba #8743278 by pastelite, translation #3442424 by CK
- เธอเห็นชายร่างสูงเมื่อวานนี้She saw a tall man yesterday.Tatoeba #8728819 by pastelite, translation #310734 by CK
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a photo of a basketball player.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritนักบาสคนนี้สูงมากเลยnak bat khon ni sung mak loeiThis basketball player is very tall.
- พิมล Pimonใช่ค่ะ เขาตัวสูงจริงๆchai kha khao tua sung ching chingYes, he is truly tall.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritพิมลว่าเขาจะสูงเท่าไหร่phimon wa khao cha sung thao raiPimon, how tall do you think he is?
- พิมล Pimonน่าจะสูงประมาณสองร้อยเซนติเมตรค่ะna cha sung praman song roi sen ti met khaHe should be about two hundred centimeters tall.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tall” translations and entries สูง, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries สูง, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
