Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ฝาแฝด | fǎa-fɛ̀ɛt | /faː˩˩˦.fɛːt̚˨˩/ |
| แฝด | fɛ̀ɛt | /fɛːt̚˨˩/ |
| ลูกแฝด | lûuk-fɛ̀ɛt |
The term refers to either of two people who shared the same uterus, or to two similar or closely related objects. While ฝาแฝด is the standard term for human twins, the shortened form แฝด is frequently used in casual conversation and in compound words to describe any kind of twins, such as twin animals or twin objects.
What does it mean word for word?
In the form ลูกแฝด, the part ลูก means "child" or "offspring", so the phrase literally means "twin child".
Which one should you use?
ฝาแฝด is the standard, full term. The form แฝด is a shortened version used in casual speech or as a component of other words.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word แฝด can function as a standalone noun or as an adjective to describe someone or something as being a twin or twin-like. To express multiples of twins, you can add a number after the word แฝด, such as แฝดสาม (fɛ̀ɛt-sǎam) for triplets.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is fǎa-fɛ̀ɛt. It has 2 syllables and the IPA is /faː˩˩˦.fɛːt̚˨˩/.
Did you know?
- In traditional Thai beliefs, twins were sometimes viewed with superstition, leading to specific naming customs to 'trick' spirits into thinking there was only one child.
- The word ฝา in ฝาแฝด literally means 'lid' or 'cover'. This creates a vivid image of two things that fit together perfectly like a matching lid and pot.
- The word แฝด is a cognate shared across several regional languages, appearing in Northern Thai, Khün and Lao.
Examples in context
- ฉันเป็นฝาแฝดI'm a twin.This sentence is useful for saying "I'm a twin" using the form แฝด.Tatoeba #7765803 by JipThaiTeacher, translation #2247899 by CK
- คุณมีพี่ชายฝาแฝดหรือไม่?Do you have a twin brother?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a twin brother using the form แฝด.Tatoeba #8719748 by pastelite, translation #2240444 by Hybrid
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a photo of a woman and her siblings.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitคุณมีพี่สาวเป็นฝาแฝดกับคุณใช่ไหม?khun mi phi sao pen fa-faet kap khun chai mai?Your older sister is your twin, right?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanใช่ค่ะ เราเป็นฝาแฝดกันchai kha, rao pen fa-faet kanYes, we are twins.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitพวกคุณหน้าตาเหมือนกันมากเลยphuak khun na ta muean kan mak loeiYou two look very much alike.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanขอบคุณค่ะ คนมักจะทักแบบนี้เสมอkhop khun kha, khon mak cha thak baep ni sa-moeThank you, people always say that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “twin” translations and entries ฝาแฝด, แฝด, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ฝาแฝด, แฝด, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
