ใจแคบ

Explanation

ใจ means “heart” or “mind,” and แคบ means “narrow,” giving the expression the image of having a “narrow heart.” It negatively describes someone who rejects different viewpoints, cannot overlook minor matters, or lacks generosity and understanding. In some contexts, it can also suggest selfishness or an unwillingness to share. It can function as a predicate, as in เขาใจแคบ (“He is narrow-minded”), or follow a noun, as in คนใจแคบ (“a narrow-minded person”). Its opposite is ใจกว้าง, meaning open-minded or generous.

Usage

Used to criticize someone who rejects different opinions, makes an issue of minor matters, or behaves ungenerously toward others. The expression อย่าใจแคบ (“Don't be so narrow-minded”) is also used to urge someone to be more tolerant or generous.

Caution

This is a direct criticism of someone's character and may sound insulting when said to the person concerned. For someone who is specifically stingy with money, ขี้เหนียว or งก is usually more appropriate.

1 narrow-minded synonyms

• เห็นแก่ตัว

  hěn kɛ̀ɛ tua selfish

  เห็นแก่ตัว specifically means selfish or primarily concerned with one's own interests. ใจแคบ is broader and can describe an unwillingness to accept different views or show tolerance toward others.

• ใจคอคับแคบ

  ใจคอคับแคบ also means narrow-minded but is a longer, more emphatic expression. ใจแคบ is the simpler and more common everyday form.