ทราม
morally base
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 morally base、depraved、vile
Describes a person, character, or action as morally base and deserving of strong condemnation.
morally base、depraved、vile
Expresses strong disapproval of a person, their character, or their conduct as morally degraded or base.
Learning notes
Explanation
ทราม is a strongly negative word used to condemn a person’s character, motives, conduct, or even a society as morally base or degraded. It does not simply mean poor or low in social rank. It often appears in the combinations ต่ำทราม and เลวทราม. On its own, it tends to sound formal or literary and is especially common in fiction, commentary, and serious written criticism.
Usage
Used to portray a contemptible person, condemn seriously immoral conduct, or describe a morally degraded society. It is more at home in fiction, commentary, and serious criticism than in casual complaints.
Caution
Calling someone คนทราม is a severe personal insult because it attacks their moral character. For ordinary rudeness, หยาบคาย is usually more appropriate; for generally unpleasant behavior, นิสัยไม่ดี is milder. Do not confuse ทราม with ต่ำต้อย, which refers to low status or humble standing.
Differences from similar words
1 morally base synonyms
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ชั่ว commonly describes a person or act as evil or wicked. ทราม places more emphasis on baseness, degraded character, and a lack of moral dignity.
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หยาบคาย refers to rude, coarse language or manners. ทราม is a deeper moral judgment about a person’s character or conduct.
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เลว is a common, broad word for “bad” and can describe people, behavior, or quality. ทราม is more formal and specifically condemns moral character or conduct as base.