poor Westerner [derogatory]
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 poor Westerner [derogatory]、poor white person [derogatory]、good-for-nothing Westerner [derogatory]、low-class Westerner [derogatory]
- 2 small red-fleshed guava
This word names a small, red-fleshed guava. When applied to a person, it is a derogatory label for a Westerner or white person regarded as poor, low-class, or good-for-nothing.
poor Westerner [derogatory]、poor white person [derogatory]、good-for-nothing Westerner [derogatory]、low-class Westerner [derogatory]
A contemptuous label for a Westerner or white person viewed as poor, low-class, boorish, or worthless.
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อย่าเรียกเขาว่าฝรั่งขี้นก yàa rîak khǎw wâa faràŋ khîi nók Don't call him ฝรั่งขี้นก. อย่าเรียกเขาว่าฝรั่งขี้นก details
small red-fleshed guava
A variety of guava with small fruit and red or reddish flesh.
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ต้นฝรั่งขี้นก tôn faràŋ khîi nók a small-fruited guava tree ต้นฝรั่งขี้นก details
Learning notes
Explanation
ฝรั่ง can mean either “guava” or “Westerner/white person,” which gives ฝรั่งขี้นก two distinct senses. As a plant name, it refers to a small guava with red or reddish flesh. ต้นฝรั่งขี้นก refers to the tree, and ลูก is used when counting the fruit. When used about a person, it is a crude, contemptuous label for a Westerner or white person portrayed as poor, low-class, boorish, or good-for-nothing. It is not a neutral description of nationality or appearance.
Usage
The plant sense may appear in markets and in conversations about fruit, gardening, or guava varieties. The personal sense may be heard in insults, gossip, arguments, or disparaging jokes. Learners are better off recognizing it than using it themselves.
Caution
When directed at a person, this term can demean both socioeconomic status and racial or ethnic background. Use ฝรั่ง for an ordinary colloquial reference to a Westerner, or ชาวต่างชาติ for the neutral sense “foreign national.” The sense “a Thai person pretending to be Western” is not included here.
Differences from similar words
1 poor Westerner [derogatory] synonyms
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ฝรั่ง is the ordinary colloquial word for a Westerner or white person. ฝรั่งขี้นก adds contempt, portraying that person as poor, low-class, or worthless.