บนบานศาลกล่าว

Explanation

The central idea is a conditional promise: “If you grant my request, I will give this offering or perform this act.” The promised return does not have to be stated in the sentence. Use บนบานศาลกล่าวขอให้… to introduce the desired outcome, such as passing an exam or recovering from an illness. After the wish is granted, carrying out the promised offering or action is called แก้บน. These words describe two different stages: making the vow and fulfilling it. This idiomatic verb expression occurs in both conversation and writing. It concerns devotional practices involving sacred powers, including deities and spirits, rather than specifically Buddhist doctrine.

Usage

Use it when discussing vows made for exam success, recovery from illness, a job, business success, or a family's safety. It fits descriptions of devotional visits to temples or shrines and accounts of turning to sacred powers for help.

Caution

Here บน is a verb, distinct from the preposition meaning “on.” Learn the phrase as a unit; it does not refer to addressing a court. The English word “vow” alone is broader and can also mean an ordinary solemn promise.

1 petition a deity with a conditional vow synonyms

• ขอพร

  khɔ̌ɔ phɔɔn ask for a blessing

  ขอพร means asking for a blessing or for a wish to be granted, without necessarily promising anything. บนบานศาลกล่าว includes a promise of something in return.

• บน

  bon make a vow in exchange for a wish

  บน is a shorter verb for making the same kind of vow, often used in conversation. บนบานศาลกล่าว is the fuller expression.

• บนบาน

  bonbaan make a vow in exchange for divine help

  บนบาน expresses essentially the same conditional promise to a sacred power. บนบานศาลกล่าว is a longer, idiomatic way of describing the act.

• อธิษฐาน

  athítthǎan pray

  อธิษฐาน broadly means praying or making a wish. บนบานศาลกล่าว specifically involves a promise that becomes due if the request is granted.