อากง
grandfather
Native recording
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- 1 grandfather、Grandpa
A warm family term for one’s grandfather, used especially in Thai Chinese families and also used when addressing him directly.
grandfather、Grandpa
An affectionate kinship term for a grandfather in a Thai Chinese family, also used to address him directly.
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วันนี้ฉันจะไปหาอากง wan níi chǎn cà pay hǎa aakoŋ I'm going to visit Grandpa today. วันนี้ฉันจะไปหาอากง details
Learning notes
Explanation
This is a loanword from a Chinese variety, particularly Teochew, and is used mainly in Thai Chinese families. It can refer to one’s grandfather or be used directly as “Grandpa.” Its tone is warm, intimate, and family-oriented. It often refers to the paternal grandfather, but family conventions vary, so the word alone does not always establish which side of the family is meant. The corresponding term commonly used for a grandmother is อาม่า.
Usage
It is commonly heard in Thai Chinese families when talking about a grandfather or speaking directly to him. It also appears in conversations, stories, and dramas depicting Chinese Thai family life.
Caution
Do not use this as a general form of address for an unfamiliar older man. It may make an unwarranted assumption about his ethnic or family background. When the paternal or maternal relationship must be explicit, use the standard Thai term ปู่ or ตา.
Differences from similar words
1 grandfather synonyms
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ตา is the standard Thai term for a maternal grandfather. อากง is used in Chinese Thai families, and exactly which grandfather it refers to can depend on the family's naming tradition.
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ปู่ is the standard Thai term specifically for a paternal grandfather. อากง is an affectionate family term associated mainly with Thai Chinese households.