ช่างมัน
chang man
The Thai phrase for "whatever" is ช่างมัน (chang man).
ช่างมัน is used to express indifference or to signal that the speaker wants to drop a subject or stop worrying about a problem. While it can be used in a neutral sense to mean "let it be," using it with a dismissive tone allows it to function exactly like the English "whatever" to show a lack of interest.
Meaning: indicating the speaker does not care what someone says (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ช่าง, meaning "to let" or "to leave" and มัน, meaning "it".
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context and tone, you may use other expressions: แบบนั้นก็ได้ is an informal way to say "whatever works" or "that's fine," whereas แล้วจะไง is an informal way to say "whatever" or "so what."
How do you pronounce it?
chang man
Did you know?
- The word ช่าง in ช่างมัน is the same word used to describe a skilled craftsman or technician in Thai.
- The phrase ช่างมัน can actually be used as a tool for self-consolation or even in meditation to help a person practice the act of letting go.
- In many Thai social contexts, instead of saying ช่างมัน, people might simply use a hand gesture of waving something away to convey the same 'whatever' feeling without speaking.
Examples in context
- ช่างมันเถอะchang man thoeWhatever, just let it go.
- ช่างมันเถอะ ฉันไม่สนใจchang man thoe chan mai son chaiWhatever, I don't care.
- เออ ช่างมันoe chang manYeah, whatever.
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing about where to eat dinner.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritผมว่าร้านนี้ไม่อร่อยเลยphom wa ran ni mai aroi loeiI think this restaurant isn't tasty at all.
- พิมล Pimonแต่ฉันชอบนะtae chan chop naBut I like it.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritช่างมันเถอะ กินอะไรก็ได้chang man thoe kin arai ko daiWhatever, we can eat anything.
- พิมล Pimonโอเค งั้นสั่งเลยนะok ngan sang loei naOkay, then I'll order now.
