old person
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- 1 old person、elderly person
An everyday term for an old or elderly person. It is direct rather than formally respectful and can sound insensitive when used about someone in their presence.
old person、elderly person
Refers to a person in old age and can describe either a particular individual or elderly people as a group.
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คนแก่คนนั้นเป็นใคร khon kɛ̀ɛ khon nán pen khray Who is that elderly person? คนแก่คนนั้นเป็นใคร details
Learning notes
Explanation
คนแก่ combines คน “person” with แก่ “old” or “aged,” so its basic image is simply “a person who is old.” It is common in everyday speech but does not carry respect by itself. A particular person can be identified as คนแก่คนนั้น, “that elderly person.” To count people, use the classifier คน, as in คนแก่สองคน, “two elderly people.”
Usage
It is used in everyday conversation about older relatives or neighbors, in descriptions of characters, and in general discussions about caring for elderly people. Close friends may also use it jokingly about themselves or one another, depending on tone and relationship.
Caution
Avoid calling someone คนแก่ to their face or saying คุณเป็นคนแก่ (“You are an old person”), as it can sound rude or mocking. Use ผู้สูงอายุ when a neutral, respectful, or official term is needed.
Differences from similar words
1 old person synonyms
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คนชรา is more formal or literary and may suggest advanced age or frailty. คนแก่ is the more direct, everyday expression.