ยักษ์
giant
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 giant、ogre、yaksha
- 2 giant、enormous、oversized
- 3 industry giant、major player、powerhouse
This word primarily refers to a huge, powerful supernatural being in Thai mythology and stories. By extension, it describes enormous things and highly powerful or influential companies, organizations, or people.
giant、ogre、yaksha
A huge and powerful supernatural being found in Thai mythology, traditional stories, and temple art. It may be portrayed as a fearsome enemy or as a guardian.
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ยักษ์เฝ้าประตูวัด yák fâw pratuu wát A giant guardian watches over the temple gate. ยักษ์เฝ้าประตูวัด details
giant、enormous、oversized
Placed after a noun, it emphasizes that something is exceptionally or strikingly large.
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คลื่นยักษ์เข้าถล่มชายฝั่ง khlʉ̂ʉn yák khâw thàlòm chaay fàŋ A massive wave struck the coast. คลื่นยักษ์เข้าถล่มชายฝั่ง details
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เขาสั่งลูกชิ้นยักษ์ khǎw sàŋ lûuk chín yák He ordered a giant meatball. เขาสั่งลูกชิ้นยักษ์ details
industry giant、major player、powerhouse
A figurative giant: a company, organization, person, or team with exceptional size, power, or influence in its field.
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ยักษ์ใหญ่ในวงการไอที yák yày nay woŋ kaan ay thii a giant in the IT industry ยักษ์ใหญ่ในวงการไอที details
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บริษัทค้าปลีกยักษ์ใหญ่ bɔɔrisàt kháa plìik yák yày a major retail corporation บริษัทค้าปลีกยักษ์ใหญ่ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image is something whose size and power go far beyond the ordinary. In its original sense, ยักษ์ is a supernatural giant found in Thai mythology, folk tales, the Ramakien, and temple art. It is often shown with fangs, an elaborate headdress, and a frightening appearance. However, a ยักษ์ may also serve as a guardian, so it is not necessarily evil. The traditional classifier for such supernatural beings is ตน, as in ยักษ์ตนหนึ่ง, “one giant.” ตัว may also be used when treating one as a visible creature or fictional character. In modern Thai, ยักษ์ commonly follows a noun to mean “giant” or “enormous.” The expression ยักษ์ใหญ่ is also well established for an exceptionally powerful company, organization, individual, or sports team.
Usage
It is used when discussing characters in myths and folk tales, the Ramakien, or the guardian figures seen at Thai temple gates. In everyday language, product names, and advertising, it follows a noun to emphasize exceptional size. In business news and sports reporting, ยักษ์ใหญ่ frequently describes a dominant company, major organization, influential figure, or powerhouse team.
Caution
ยักษ์ does not always mean an evil monster; in mythology and temple art, it may be a protective guardian. Calling a large person ยักษ์ directly can sound mocking or insulting, suggesting that they are monstrous, frightening, or abnormally large. Use it cautiously when referring to real people.
Differences from similar words
1 giant synonyms
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อสูร is a broader term for a demon or demonic being in mythology. ยักษ์ more specifically evokes a huge, immensely strong, and often frightening supernatural figure.
2 giant synonyms
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มหึมา also means “enormous,” but it has a more elevated and dramatic tone. ยักษ์ commonly follows a noun and is widely used in everyday descriptions, advertising, and product names.
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ใหญ่ is the ordinary word for “large” or “big.” ยักษ์ is much stronger and suggests something exceptionally or dramatically oversized.