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Thai - Khun and P

Haru Author
Hello everyone! After finishing my second lakorn I'm still wondering why the people in the lakorns are calling each other Khun (name: Kin/Akk/Nahk/...) or P' (name: Kin/Akk/Nahk/...). Someone translated "Khun" with "you". But what means P'? And when are you using which one in Thai? Thank u. :)
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Sleepninja MOD
Great topic! :D If you don't mind, may we use this as our official thread for Thai language and terminology discussion?

I was confused when I first started watching lakorn too. Luckily some blogs and youtube commenters were very helpful with explaining it. I can't remember those sources, but I found a Yahoo Answers that gives a good break down of it. There are multiple interpretations.

"In Thai "khun" has a number of meanings.

On it's own it can mean: (n.) merit, goodness, value, virtue, favour benefit or prosperity. And (n.) string, rope, thread or cord.

Placed before forenames of both men and women it can be used like Mr./ Mrs. - khun Somsak = Mr Somsak; khun Mary = Mrs./Miss. Mary. However the meaning is "respected".

Also it can be used as a (respectful) pronoun "you" or "your", as in: khun chu alai = what is your name?

Khun is also used as a term of respect, as in; khun mae = respected mother; khun kru = respected teacher.

Phee or P' placed before a male or female forename means "older sibling", as in: Phee Yai = older brother Yai; Phee Porn = older sister Porn. It is a polite informal prefix used when addressing someone a little older than the speaker.

Phee can also be used as a respectful pronoun: you, he, she, him or her."

Source[/URL]



Hope that helps explain it. :)

Some other interesting terms that pop up in lakorn a lot or pertain to lakorn are explained here.
I'll go ahead and copy-paste the vocab:

Lakorn-Thai drama, means play
Pra’nang-leading couple in a drama
Pra’ek-leading man/hero
Nang’ek-leading lady/heroine
Nang’rai-Girl villain
Chan Ruk Ter- I love you
E-bah-b****! ([U]Sleepy's note: I've seen it translated to also mean "crazy")
I hate you- Chun gliat Ter
Ruk Ter Took Wan-Love you every day



For a more detailed explanation of the character terminology:

The two main lovers are established at the beginning of the series. Viewers have no difficulties singling them out of the crowd for they tend to be the most popular soap opera stars of the moment. The male lead role usually called Phra Ek (พระเอก) as the main actress had named Nang Ek (นางเอก)

The presence of one "bad" female character, sometimes more, is commonplace. This is the person who is totally in love with the male lead and will do all that is necessary to stop the two would-be lovers from fulfilling their destined ending. She tries everything to be the main actor's girlfriend and always tries to get rid of the main actress. She is often a stereotypical character who does not hesitate to do bad, bad things to the main actress including trying to steal her boyfriend before the wedding. She is often a rich girl or comes from a good family background, but has nasty behaviour and is manipulative. Few of these characters are kind. She is usually a living person, but a few of these characters can be evil, dead women who come back as ghosts. The most popular ones are Poot Mae Nam Khong or the remake of Pob Pee Fa. Nang Rai or Nang Itcha (นางอิจฉา) is a famous name for Thai viewers.


"Katoei" (กะเทย – man dressed like a woman) are often used as comic relief. Sapai Look Tung is popular for this role.


Source: Wiki
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