นักเลง
thug
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 thug、hoodlum
- 2 person with courage and a sense of honor
- 3 connoisseur、enthusiast
This usually describes a tough, intimidating troublemaker. Depending on context, it can also suggest courage and a personal code of honor, or refer to an enthusiast in certain established expressions.
thug、hoodlum
A person who picks fights, intimidates others, or behaves like a local tough.
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อย่าไปมีเรื่องกับนักเลง yàa pay mii rʉ̂aŋ kàp nákleeŋ Don't get into a fight with a thug. อย่าไปมีเรื่องกับนักเลง details
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แถวนี้มีนักเลงเยอะ thɛ̌w níi mii nákleeŋ yə́ There are a lot of thugs around here. แถวนี้มีนักเลงเยอะ details
person with courage and a sense of honor
A bold, generous person who takes responsibility and accepts defeat without pettiness.
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เขามีใจนักเลง khǎw mii cay nákleeŋ He's bold and generous. เขามีใจนักเลง details
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เป็นนักเลงต้องกล้าทำกล้ารับ pen nákleeŋ tɔ̂ŋ klâa tham klâa ráp A person with honor has the courage to take responsibility for what they do. เป็นนักเลงต้องกล้าทำกล้ารับ details
connoisseur、enthusiast
An enthusiast or connoisseur with experience in a particular field, chiefly in established combinations naming that interest.
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นักเลงพระ nákleeŋ phrá a connoisseur of Buddhist amulets นักเลงพระ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image is a tough, fearless person. Used on its own, นักเลง usually suggests a thug or troublemaker. In stories and descriptions of character, however, that toughness may be combined with loyalty or a code of honor. The favorable meaning is especially common in ใจนักเลง. It praises boldness, generosity, or a willingness to accept responsibility and defeat, rather than simple kindness. The classifier for people is คน: นักเลงสองคน means “two thugs.”
Usage
You will encounter this word in conversations and news about neighborhood troublemakers, fights, and intimidation, as well as in films and dramas featuring tough characters. ใจนักเลง is used to praise someone's bold, generous spirit or honorable conduct. The connoisseur sense appears in discussions of particular interests, such as amulet collecting.
Caution
The word does not by itself imply membership in an organized crime group, so translations such as “mafioso” or “gang member” require supporting context. It is not a general modern term for a bodyguard. Calling someone นักเลง directly can sound insulting or provocative. For the enthusiast sense, learn established combinations rather than freely attaching the word to any hobby.
Differences from similar words
1 thug synonyms
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อันธพาล clearly condemns someone as a bully or troublemaker. นักเลง can describe the same behavior, but in some contexts it also carries a sense of courage or a personal code of honor.