older brother
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 older brother
- 2 bro、older male buddy、brother figure
This word mainly refers to an older male sibling. In casual contexts, it can also describe or address an older male friend who is treated like a brother.
older brother
Refers to a male sibling who is older than the person used as the point of reference.
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พี่ชายของฉันเป็นทนายความ phîi chaay khɔ̌ɔŋ chǎn pen thanaay khwaam My older brother is a lawyer. พี่ชายของฉันเป็นทนายความ details
bro、older male buddy、brother figure
Casually refers to or addresses an older male friend viewed as a brother, protector, or close companion.
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ขอบคุณนะ พี่ชาย khɔ̀ɔpkhun ná phîi chaay Thanks, bro. ขอบคุณนะ พี่ชาย details
Learning notes
Explanation
The word combines พี่, meaning an older sibling or a familiar older person, with ชาย, meaning male. Adding ชาย makes it clear that the person is an older brother rather than an older sister. It is a common, neutral term used when describing one’s family or introducing an older brother. The classifier for people is คน, as in พี่ชายหนึ่งคน, “one older brother.” When speaking directly to an older brother, Thai speakers more often use พี่ or พี่ followed by his name or nickname.
Usage
It is commonly used when talking about family members, introducing an older brother, or referring to him in conversation. In casual speech, it may also be used for an older male friend who feels like a brother.
Caution
Unlike “older brother,” พี่ชาย is not normally the default way to address an unfamiliar young man; พี่ is usually more natural. It specifically identifies an older male sibling: an older sister is พี่สาว, a younger brother is น้องชาย, and a younger sister is น้องสาว.
Differences from similar words
1 older brother synonyms
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พี่ can refer to an older sibling or a familiar older person of any gender. พี่ชาย explicitly identifies that person as an older male sibling.