เรา
rao/raw˧/
The English word "we" is translated into Thai as เรา (rao).
เรา is a generic pronoun used to refer to the speaker and at least one other person. This includes situations where the person being addressed is part of the group or not. In specific contexts like songs or romantic settings, เรา can also function as a friendly or intimate way for the speaker to refer to themselves as "I". To emphasize the sense of "ourselves" and reinforce inclusiveness, you can add the word เอง after it to form เราเอง.
Meaning: generic we (the speaker and at least one other person, regardless of whether it's the person being addressed) (pron)
Which one should you use?
While เรา means "we", you can add the classifier พวก to the front to create พวกเรา (phuak rao). This version emphasizes the group or makes the sense of "we" sound more explicit and formal.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is rao. The IPA is /raw˧/.
Did you know?
- The word เรา is cognate with the Ahom language, which was spoken by the founders of the Ahom kingdom in present-day India.
- In very formal royal language, known as 'Rachasap', a completely different set of pronouns is used instead of เรา.
- In certain contexts, such as when a person is speaking to a pet or a very young child, เรา is used as a superior way of saying 'I'.
Examples in context
- เราชนะWe won.This sentence is useful for expressing that เรา was the winner.Tatoeba #7784305 by pastelite, translation #2107675 by CK
- เราแพ้We lost.This sentence is useful for expressing that เรา was the loser.Tatoeba #8675799 by pastelite, translation #2107666 by CK
- เรารอคอยWe waited.This sentence is useful for expressing that เรา was waiting.Tatoeba #8675786 by pastelite, translation #2107674 by CK
- เราไปเที่ยวด้วยกันWe are going on a trip together.
- 167 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitเราไปกินข้าวกันไหมrao pai kin khao kan maiShall we go eat?
- ณิชา Nichaเราไปกินอาหารญี่ปุ่นกันเถอะrao pai kin a-han ya-pun kan thoeLet's go eat Japanese food.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitได้เลย เราชอบอาหารญี่ปุ่นอยู่แล้วdai loei rao chop a-han ya-pun yu laeoSure, I already like Japanese food.
- ณิชา Nichaงั้นเราไปร้านเดิมกันนะngan rao pai ran doem kan naThen let's go to the same restaurant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “we” translations and entries เรา, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries เรา, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
