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Thai

น้องสาว

Components

น้อง
สาว

Pronunciation

nɔ́ɔŋ sǎaw

น้องสาว

nɔ́ɔŋ sǎaw

younger sister

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  1. 1 younger sister
  2. 2 young lady [form of address]
  3. 3 female genitals [slang euphemism]

This word primarily means “younger sister,” specifically a female sibling younger than the person used as the reference point. In informal contexts, it can also address a younger woman or serve as a slang euphemism for female genitals.

Learning notes

Explanation

The core meaning is “younger sister.” It combines น้อง, meaning a younger sibling or younger person, with สาว, indicating a young woman or female. พี่สาว means “older sister,” while น้องชาย means “younger brother.” Possession can be expressed with ของ, as in น้องสาวของฉัน (“my younger sister”). In conversation, ของ is often omitted: น้องสาวฉัน. The usual classifier for counting people is คน, so น้องสาวสองคน means “two younger sisters.” The word may also describe a close younger woman who feels like a sister, usually in an explicit comparison such as เหมือนน้องสาว (“like a younger sister”). This is a figurative extension rather than a separate basic meaning.

Usage

It is commonly used when describing a family, introducing a younger sister, or talking about her studies, work, or personality. It can address a young woman, though น้อง or น้อง followed by the person’s name is often more natural. Its slang anatomical meaning is limited to informal conversation and euphemistic discussions of sexual or intimate hygiene topics.

Caution

Unlike the general English word “sister,” this word specifically indicates that the sister is younger. Addressing an unfamiliar young woman as น้องสาว can sound overly familiar, flirtatious, or patronizing; น้อง is usually safer. Because the word also has a slang anatomical sense, jokes without clear context may be misunderstood.

Differences from similar words

1 younger sister synonyms

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