มาร
Mara; a demon
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 Mara; a demon、an obstructive person or thing
This word refers to a harmful force that keeps someone from doing good or achieving a goal. It can mean Mara in Buddhism, a demon, or figuratively a person or thing that causes obstruction.
Mara; a demon、an obstructive person or thing
It describes Mara or another malevolent being, and by extension anyone or anything that obstructs goodness, happiness, or success.
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พระพุทธเจ้าทรงชนะมาร phrá phútthacâw soŋ chaná maan The Buddha defeated Mara. พระพุทธเจ้าทรงชนะมาร details
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อย่าให้กิเลสกลายเป็นมารขัดขวางความสำเร็จ yàa hây kìlèet klaay pen maan khàt khwǎaŋ khwaam sǎmrèt Do not let your desires become an obstacle to success. อย่าให้กิเลสกลายเป็นมารขัดขวางความสำเร็จ details
Learning notes
Explanation
มาร comes from Pali and Sanskrit. In Buddhism, it refers to Mara, especially the tempter who tried to prevent the Buddha from attaining enlightenment, as well as forces that obstruct spiritual progress. From this central image of blocking a desirable outcome, the word also came to describe demons and, figuratively, people or things that interfere with happiness, love, or success. The classifier ตน may be used for a supernatural being, while คน is appropriate when the word figuratively refers to a person.
Usage
It appears in Buddhist teachings and stories when discussing Mara or forces that hinder virtue and enlightenment. In fiction it can denote a demon, while in news, drama, and conversation it may figuratively describe someone or something that seriously disrupts society, love, or the achievement of a goal.
Caution
Calling a real person มาร is strongly condemnatory and can imply that the person is a menace, a malicious obstruction, or almost demonic. For an ordinary obstacle, use the neutral อุปสรรค; for a person who interferes, คนที่ขัดขวาง is less emotionally charged.
Differences from similar words
1 Mara; a demon synonyms
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ปีศาจ mainly refers to a supernatural demon, evil spirit, or monster. มาร can also mean a demon, but more strongly suggests something that blocks goodness or success and can describe real people or abstract obstacles.
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อุปสรรค is a neutral, general word for a difficulty or obstacle. มาร carries a darker sense of evil or harm and may strongly condemn the person or thing being described.