เปรี้ยว
sour
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 sour、tart
- 2 bold and fashionable、flashy、provocatively stylish
This word primarily describes a sharp, sour taste. In everyday speech, it can also describe a person or style that is bold, eye-catching, fashionable, and sometimes provocatively attractive.
sour、tart
Describes the sharp, acidic taste of foods such as limes. It can also describe food or drink that has developed acidity through fermentation or spoilage.
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ฉันชอบกินของเปรี้ยว chǎn chɔ̂ɔp kin khɔ̌ɔŋ prîaw I like eating sour foods. ฉันชอบกินของเปรี้ยว details
bold and fashionable、flashy、provocatively stylish
Informally describes clothing, a look, or especially a woman as fashionably bold and attention-grabbing. Depending on tone, it can suggest stylish confidence, flashiness, or provocative attractiveness.
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วันนี้เธอแต่งตัวเปรี้ยวมาก wan níi thəə tɛ̀ŋtua prîaw mâak She is dressed in a very bold, eye-catching style today. วันนี้เธอแต่งตัวเปรี้ยวมาก details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core meaning is “sour,” like the taste of a lime or unripe fruit. รสเปรี้ยว means “a sour taste,” while ของเปรี้ยว refers to sour food. It can also describe acidity produced by fermentation or deterioration. The word itself, however, does not necessarily mean that something has spoiled. For example, นมเปรี้ยว normally refers to an intentionally fermented milk drink. Figuratively, the sharp and stimulating quality of sourness is extended to eye-catching fashion and bold personalities. แต่งตัวเปรี้ยว means to dress in a daring, striking way. This can be complimentary, but tone and context may give it a critical or sexually suggestive nuance.
Usage
It is very common in everyday conversation about the taste of fruit, drinks, soups, and other foods. It is also used when checking whether food or drink has developed a sour taste. The figurative sense appears in casual conversation, fashion commentary, entertainment, and social media when discussing a striking outfit or a bold, confident image.
Caution
With food, context determines whether เปรี้ยว means naturally or intentionally sour, or sour because the food has gone bad. Use บูด when you specifically mean “spoiled.” Directly describing a person—especially a woman—as เปรี้ยว can sound judgmental or sexually suggestive depending on the relationship and tone. Use it cautiously with people you do not know well.
Differences from similar words
1 sour synonyms
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บูด specifically means that food has spoiled or gone bad. เปรี้ยว describes sourness itself, whether that sourness is intentional or has developed through spoilage.
2 bold and fashionable synonyms
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ก๋ากั่น describes someone as daring and uninhibited, sometimes to the point of seeming brash. เปรี้ยว more often combines boldness with fashion, appearance, and striking attractiveness.
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ทันสมัย broadly means “modern” or “up-to-date” and can describe objects, ideas, and lifestyles. เปรี้ยว is more expressive and usually adds a sense of boldness or eye-catching appeal to a person or their style.