แล้งน้ำใจ

Explanation

แล้ง literally means “dry” or “affected by drought,” while น้ำใจ means kindness, generosity, or consideration for others. Together, they create the image of compassion having dried up. The word does not simply mean quiet or unfriendly. It points to a failure to care about others, especially a lack of willingness to help someone in need. The negative form ไม่แล้งน้ำใจ is also common. It means that someone is not uncaring and may imply that they remain kind or willing to help. The word can describe not only individuals but also an uncaring society or social environment.

Usage

It is used to criticize a person or attitude that shows little concern for others, particularly when someone refuses to help a person in need. It can also describe a society where people do not look out for one another. In the negative form, it often praises people for showing kindness, generosity, or solidarity, such as during disaster relief.

Caution

This word makes a negative judgment about someone's character, so saying คุณแล้งน้ำใจ directly to a person can sound strongly accusatory. Do not use it merely because someone is quiet, reserved, or unfriendly.

1 lacking compassion synonyms

• เห็นแก่ตัว

  hěn kɛ̀ɛ tua selfish

  เห็นแก่ตัว means selfish and focuses on putting one's own interests first. แล้งน้ำใจ instead focuses on failing to show care, generosity, or helpfulness toward others.

• ใจร้าย

  cayráay mean

  ใจร้าย emphasizes meanness or cruelty that may actively hurt someone. แล้งน้ำใจ focuses more specifically on a lack of compassion, generosity, or willingness to help.

• ไม่มีน้ำใจ

  ไม่มีน้ำใจ directly means that someone lacks kindness or generosity. แล้งน้ำใจ is very close in meaning but has a more figurative image of kindness having “dried up,” making the criticism somewhat more vivid.