siblings
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 siblings、brothers and sisters
- 2 close relatives、kin
- 3 friends and fellow members [affectionate address]、brothers and sisters [form of address]
This word centers on the close bond between people in the same family or community. It usually means “siblings,” but it can also refer to close relatives or serve as an affectionate, inclusive way to address a group.
siblings、brothers and sisters
Refers collectively to brothers and sisters, regardless of gender or whether they are older or younger.
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คุณมีพี่น้องกี่คน khun mii phîi nɔ́ɔŋ kìi khon How many siblings are there in your family? คุณมีพี่น้องกี่คน details
close relatives、kin
Extends beyond immediate siblings to close relatives or members of the same extended family.
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เขากลับบ้านไปเยี่ยมพี่น้อง khǎw klàp bâan pay yîam phîi nɔ́ɔŋ He went home to visit his relatives. เขากลับบ้านไปเยี่ยมพี่น้อง details
friends and fellow members [affectionate address]、brothers and sisters [form of address]
Used to address members of a community as one family, conveying affection, solidarity, or a shared identity.
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พี่น้องชาวไทยทุกคน phîi nɔ́ɔŋ chaaw thay thúk khon All my fellow Thai people. พี่น้องชาวไทยทุกคน details
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พี่น้องประชาชนที่เคารพ phîi nɔ́ɔŋ prachaachon thîi khawróp Dear fellow citizens. พี่น้องประชาชนที่เคารพ details
Learning notes
Explanation
พี่น้อง combines พี่, an older brother or sister, with น้อง, a younger brother or sister. Together they cover siblings of any gender and age. Its core idea is a close family bond. Depending on context, the meaning can broaden from actual siblings to close relatives. The common expression ญาติพี่น้อง clearly refers to relatives or the extended family. The word can also present members of a community, region, ethnic group, or organization as one family. In that use, it creates warmth and solidarity. The usual classifier for counting people is คน.
Usage
It is common in everyday conversations about family structure, the number of siblings someone has, and relationships between siblings. At homecomings, ceremonies, and family gatherings, ญาติพี่น้อง often refers to the extended family. In speeches, community meetings, and group messages, it can address an audience warmly as fellow members of the same community.
Caution
Do not interpret the word as referring only to males: it includes sisters and mixed-gender siblings as well. When Thai speakers discuss how many siblings a family has, the total may include the person being asked. Check the context when an exact count matters. As a form of address, พี่น้อง deliberately suggests closeness and solidarity. For a neutral “everyone,” use ทุกคน; for a more respectful “everyone” or “ladies and gentlemen,” ทุกท่าน is often more suitable.
Differences from similar words
2 close relatives synonyms
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ญาติ is the general, neutral word for a relative. พี่น้อง literally means siblings and, when extended to relatives, tends to suggest a closer, more family-like bond.
3 friends and fellow members [affectionate address] synonyms
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ทุกคน neutrally means “everyone.” พี่น้อง addresses the audience as members of one family or community and adds a sense of warmth and solidarity.