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Thai

ธรรม

Pronunciation

tham

ธรรม

tham

Buddhist teaching

Native recording

Analyzing pitch…

  1. 1 Buddhist teaching、dharma、doctrine[religion]
  2. 2 virtue、morality、righteousness、moral goodness
  3. 3 fairness、justice、justness

ธรรม refers to Buddhist teachings, moral goodness, and fairness or justice. On its own it sounds somewhat formal or religious, and learners will often meet it in forms such as ธรรมะ and ความเป็นธรรม.

1

Buddhist teaching、dharma、doctrine[religion]

Noun⭐️2 Not often used Loanword Buddhism

This sense refers to Buddhist doctrine, teachings, or the path of practice. It is common in temple, sermon, meditation, and religious contexts.

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2

virtue、morality、righteousness、moral goodness

Noun⭐️2 Not often used Loanword

This sense means moral goodness, virtue, or ethical rightness. It is about what is morally proper, not just what is allowed by a rule.

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3

fairness、justice、justness

Noun⭐️2 Not often used Loanword

This sense means fairness or justice, especially fair treatment or a just decision. It is most practical in forms like ความเป็นธรรม and เป็นธรรม.

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Learning notes

Explanation

ธรรม is a Pali/Sanskrit-based word with a formal weight to it. Its core idea is a right principle or truth that people or things should follow. From that core, it extends to Buddhist teaching, moral virtue, and social fairness. As a standalone word it can sound formal, but it is very common inside compounds such as ศีลธรรม, คุณธรรม, ความเป็นธรรม, and ยุติธรรม.

Usage

You will hear it in temples, sermons, meditation, and Buddhist events in phrases like ฟังธรรม and ปฏิบัติธรรม. In news, law, workplace issues, and social problems, it often appears as ความเป็นธรรม, เป็นธรรม, or ยุติธรรม to mean fairness or justice. In discussions of ethics or character, it appears in related words such as ศีลธรรม and คุณธรรม.

Caution

Do not translate ธรรม as “nature” by default. “Nature” is usually ธรรมชาติ, and “ordinary” is ธรรมดา. In casual speech about Buddhist or spiritual teachings, ธรรมะ is often the more natural choice.

Differences from similar words

1 Buddhist teaching synonyms

2 virtue synonyms

  • ศีลธรรม is a common word for morals or morality in society. ธรรม feels broader and more fundamental, suggesting virtue or moral truth, and can sound more formal or religious.

3 fairness synonyms

Component words

Other words containing ธรรม

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