น่าเกลียด
nâa-glìiat/naː˥˩.klia̯t̚˨˩/
The Thai word for "ugly" is น่าเกลียด (nâa-glìiat).
น่าเกลียด is used to describe something that is displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing. Beyond physical appearance, it is also used to describe behavior or actions that are considered morally disgraceful or inappropriate.
Meaning: displeasing to the eye, not aesthetically pleasing (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of น่า (worthy of/likely to) and เกลียด (to hate/disgusting), literally meaning "worthy of being hated" or "disgusting".
How does it change in a sentence?
To intensify the adjective to mean "very ugly", you can add มาก (very) after the word to form น่าเกลียดมาก.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is nâa-glìiat.
Did you know?
- In Thai culture, calling a baby น่าเกลียด can sometimes be a superstitious way to protect them from evil spirits by pretending the child is not attractive.
- The word shares its roots with Lao, meaning the term น่าเกลียด would be perfectly understood by a speaker from Laos.
- Because น่าเกลียด is so strong, Thai speakers often use softer euphemisms or avoid the word entirely to maintain 'face' and social harmony.
Examples in context
- หนังสือเล่มนี้ไม่น่าอ่านเลย ไร้เสน่ห์มากThis book is not worth reading, it's very unattractive.
- เสื้อตัวนี้ดูน่าเกลียดมากsuea tua ni du na-kliat makThis shirt looks very ugly.
- สีนี้ดูน่าเกลียดไปหน่อยsi ni du na-kliat pai noiThis color looks a bit ugly.
- เขาไม่ชอบลายที่น่าเกลียดแบบนี้khao mai chop lai thi na-kliat baep niHe doesn't like ugly patterns like this.
Example conversation
At a clothing store, looking at a new dress.
- ณิชา Nichaชุดนี้เป็นยังไงบ้างคะchut ni pen yang bang khaHow is this dress?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatผมว่ามันดูน่าเกลียดนะphom wa man du na-kliat naI think it looks ugly.
- ณิชา Nichaจริงเหรอคะ ฉันว่ามันสวยดีching ro kha chan wa man suai diReally? I think it is pretty.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatแล้วแต่คุณเลยครับlaeo tae khun loei khrapIt is up to you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ugly” translations and entries น่าเกลียด, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries น่าเกลียด, CC BY-SA 4.0.
