หนุ่มสาว
Num sao
The Thai word for "young" is หนุ่มสาว (Num sao).
หนุ่มสาว is used to describe people who are in the early part of their lives.
Meaning: belonging in the early part of life (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of หนุ่ม, meaning young man and สาว, meaning young woman.
Which one should you use?
While หนุ่มสาว refers to young people in general or a mixed group, you should use หนุ่ม when referring specifically to a young male and สาว when referring specifically to a young female.
How do you pronounce it?
Num sao
Did you know?
- There is a specific verb สาว that means 'to pull' or 'reel in' a rope or thread. It is a homonym that is spelled and pronounced exactly like the word for 'young woman'.
- In Thailand, a woman who is considered 'past her prime' might be jokingly called สาวใหญ่, which literally translates to 'big young woman'.
- While สาว means 'young woman', it is also used to describe a 'virgin'. In certain contexts, the word shifts from describing an age group to describing a state of innocence.
Examples in context
- เธอมีความสามารถมากเพราะยังเด็กYou have great potential because you are still young.
- พวกเขายังหนุ่มสาวกันอยู่phuak khao yang num sao kan yuThey are still young.
- พลังของคนหนุ่มสาวมีมากphalang khong khon num sao mi makThe energy of young people is great.
- เราควรสนับสนุนคนหนุ่มสาวrao khuan sanap sanun khon num saoWe should support young people.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about old photos.
- วิทวัส Witthawatดูรูปนี้สิ เราดูหนุ่มสาวกันจังdu rup ni si rao du num sao kan changLook at this photo, we look so young.
- ณิชา Nichaจริงด้วย ฉันจำตอนนั้นได้ching duai chan cham ton nan daiTrue, I remember that time.
- วิทวัส Witthawatตอนนั้นเราไม่มีเรื่องให้เครียดเลยton nan rao mai mi rueang hai khriat loeiBack then, we had nothing to stress about.
- ณิชา Nichaใช่ ชีวิตวัยหนุ่มสาวมันดีจริงๆchai chi-wit wai num sao man di ching chingYes, young life was really great.
