คนข้ามเพศ
khon kham phet
The English word transgender is translated into Thai as คนข้ามเพศ (khon kham phet).
The term refers to a person whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex, or more strictly, someone whose gender identity is the opposite of the sex they were assigned at birth.
Meaning: (broadly) of a person: having a gender (identity) which is different from one’s assigned sex, (strictly) of a person: having a gender (identity) which is opposite from the sex one was assigned at birth (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase คนข้ามเพศ is composed of khon (person), kham (to cross/over) and phet (gender/sex).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
คนข้ามเพศ is the formal and politically correct term used in academic, legal and respectful social contexts. In informal settings, the English loanword ทรานส์เจนเดอร์ is often used. In daily life, the colloquial term กะเทย is widely used, though it can be seen as reductive or offensive depending on the context and tone.
How do you pronounce it?
khon kham phet
Did you know?
- Thai society has a distinct term สาวประเภทสอง meaning 'second-type woman' to describe transgender women, which focuses on a perceived third category rather than a transition.
- In some Thai social circles, transgender people may use a specific set of polite particles at the end of sentences to signal their gender identity to the listener.
- The word เพศ (phet) used in the phrase is a Sanskrit-derived root that can refer to 'gender', 'sex', or even 'species' depending on the context.
Examples in context
- เขาเป็นคนทรานส์เจนเดอร์ และเขารักที่จะเล่าเรื่องราวของชีวิตของตัวเองHe is transgender, and he loves to share stories about his life.
- เขาเป็นคนข้ามเพศที่เก่งมากkhao pen khon kham phet thi keng makHe is a very talented transgender person.
- คนข้ามเพศควรได้รับสิทธิที่เท่าเทียมkhon kham phet khuan dai rap sit thi thi thao thiamTransgender people should receive equal rights.
- เพื่อนของฉันเป็นคนข้ามเพศphuean khong chan pen khon kham phetMy friend is transgender.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new documentary at a cafe.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinสารคดีเรื่องนี้เกี่ยวกับคนข้ามเพศใช่ไหมsa-ra-kha-di rueang ni kiaw kap khon kham phet chai maiIs this documentary about transgender people?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritใช่ครับ เป็นเรื่องราวที่น่าสนใจมากchai khrap, pen rueang rao thi na son chai makYes, it is a very interesting story.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinสิรินทร์อยากดูเรื่องนี้พอดีเลยSirin yak du rueang ni pho di loeiSirin happens to want to watch this.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritงั้นเรามาดูด้วยกันไหมครับngan rao ma du duai kan mai khrapThen, shall we watch it together?
