ปัญญา
wisdom
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 wisdom、intelligence、intellect
- 2 ability or means (to do something)、financial means (to do something)
- 3 wisdom [Buddhism]、insight into reality [Buddhism]
This word refers to the mental power to understand, reason, judge wisely, and solve problems. It ranges from everyday intelligence and wisdom to spiritual insight in Buddhism.
wisdom、intelligence、intellect
The mental capacity to understand, reason, make sound judgments, and solve problems.
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ใช้ปัญญาแก้ปัญหา cháy panyaa kɛ̂ɛ panhǎa use one's intelligence to solve a problem ใช้ปัญญาแก้ปัญหา details
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เขาเป็นคนมีปัญญา khǎw pen khon mii panyaa He is an intelligent person. เขาเป็นคนมีปัญญา details
ability or means (to do something)、financial means (to do something)
In the pattern ไม่มีปัญญา + verb, it means lacking the ability, means, or money to do something, often with a critical or sarcastic tone.
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ไม่มีปัญญาซื้อ mây mii panyaa sʉ́ʉ not have the means to buy it ไม่มีปัญญาซื้อ details
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รัฐบาลไม่มีปัญญาแก้ปัญหา rátthabaan mây mii panyaa kɛ̂ɛ panhǎa The government is incapable of solving the problem. รัฐบาลไม่มีปัญญาแก้ปัญหา details
wisdom [Buddhism]、insight into reality [Buddhism]
In Buddhism, this is the deep insight that sees reality clearly and helps free the mind from delusion.
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ศีล สมาธิ ปัญญา sǐin samaathí panyaa morality, concentration, and wisdom ศีล สมาธิ ปัญญา details
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เจริญปัญญา carəən panyaa cultivate wisdom เจริญปัญญา details
Learning notes
Explanation
ปัญญา is a noun of Pali origin. Its central idea is not merely possessing information, but having the mental power to understand, reason, judge, and put knowledge to useful effect. In general usage, it covers parts of the meaning of “wisdom,” “intelligence,” and “intellect.” The expanded form สติปัญญา is especially common when discussing intellectual ability, education, or child development. In Buddhism, ปัญญา is a central concept meaning insight or wisdom gained through practice—the ability to see reality clearly, rather than simply being clever. The word is also used as a personal name, but that is a proper-name use rather than an additional everyday meaning.
Usage
It is used when discussing problem-solving, sound judgment, intelligence, education, and cognitive development. In Buddhist or meditation contexts, it refers to insight into reality. In casual speech, ไม่มีปัญญา followed by a verb means that someone lacks the ability, practical means, or money to do something.
Caution
ปัญญา is a noun, unlike ฉลาด, an adjective meaning “smart” or “clever.” Also be careful when using ไม่มีปัญญา about another person: it can imply that they are incompetent or lack the means to manage something, so it may sound insulting.