ข้าราชบริพาร
courtier
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 courtier、royal attendant
A formal royal term for someone who faithfully serves the monarch or another member of the royal family, typically within the royal court or household.
courtier、royal attendant
A person attached to the royal court or household who serves the monarch or another royal figure.
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เหล่าข้าราชบริพารถวายงานแด่พระมหากษัตริย์ lâw khâarâatchabɔɔriphaan thawǎay ŋaan dɛ̀ɛ phrá mahǎakasàt The courtiers serve the King. เหล่าข้าราชบริพารถวายงานแด่พระมหากษัตริย์ details
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ข้าราชบริพารในราชสำนัก khâarâatchabɔɔriphaan nay râatcha sǎmnák a courtier serving in the royal court ข้าราชบริพารในราชสำนัก details
Learning notes
Explanation
This is a formal noun associated with royalty and the royal court. It is not an ordinary term for a household servant, assistant, or employee. The word contains ข้า “one who serves,” ราช “royal,” and บริพาร “attendant or follower.” Here, ข้า has its older sense of a servant or subject, not its casual first-person use. When referring to the group collectively, Thai may use เหล่าข้าราชบริพาร, meaning “the courtiers” or “the royal attendants.” The general classifier for people, คน, can be used when counting them.
Usage
The word appears in historical accounts, biographies, literature, news reports, and descriptions of the Thai monarchy, court life, or royal ceremonies. It is used for individuals or groups who serve a monarch or another royal figure.
Caution
Do not confuse this word with ข้าราชการ, the ordinary term for a government official or civil servant. ข้าราชบริพาร specifically concerns service to the monarch or royal household.
Differences from similar words
1 courtier synonyms
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ข้าราชสำนัก emphasizes membership or service within the royal court. ข้าราชบริพาร places more emphasis on personal and loyal service to the monarch or another royal figure.
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บริพาร can refer broadly to attendants, subordinates, or followers and is not limited to royalty. ข้าราชบริพาร is a formal term specifically associated with royal service.