สตรี
woman [formal]
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 woman [formal]、women [as a social group]
A formal word for a woman or for women as a social group. It is common in official writing, news, ceremonies, and discussions of social issues.
woman [formal]、women [as a social group]
Refers to a woman or women in a formal, official, or socially focused context.
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สิทธิสตรี sìtthí satrii women's rights สิทธิสตรี details
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วันสตรีสากล wan satrii sǎakon International Women's Day วันสตรีสากล details
Learning notes
Explanation
สตรี is a formal word of Pali–Sanskrit origin. It is often used in law, government communication, news, health notices, and discussions of women’s rights or social roles. The usual classifier for people is คน. In ordinary conversation, however, ผู้หญิงสามคน is more natural than สตรีสามคน for “three women.” On a restroom sign, สตรี by itself means “women” or “ladies,” indicating the women’s restroom. This is a context-dependent label rather than a separate kind of woman.
Usage
Common in government and organizational documents, news reports, legal or social discussions, medical notices, and ceremonial language. It is especially natural when the focus is on women’s rights, social roles, or status as a group.
Caution
Use ผู้หญิง for an individual woman in ordinary conversation; สตรี can sound overly formal there. Also, สตรี alone does not automatically mean the polite “lady.” สุภาพสตรี is the usual explicitly courteous term.
Differences from similar words
1 woman [formal] synonyms
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ผู้หญิง is the ordinary everyday word for a woman. สตรี is more formal and is especially common in official or socially focused contexts.
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หญิง is a concise word for “female” or “woman,” often found in writing and compounds. สตรี has a more elevated tone and is often used when discussing women as a social group.