Signification
To be embarrassed in public.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Face' is central to Thai social hierarchy. Causing someone to 'khǎi nâa' is a serious social offense and can damage relationships permanently. In Thai business, 'saving face' is more important than being right. If a mistake is made, it's often handled privately to avoid 'khǎi nâa'. Children are taught from a young age that their behavior reflects on their parents. Bad behavior is often scolded with 'Don't make your parents khǎi nâa'. Thais are very active on social media, and 'khǎi nâa' moments often go viral. This has led to a high level of self-censorship to maintain a 'good face' online.
Use with 'Jǎng'
Adding 'jǎng' (so) at the end makes it sound very natural and native-like: 'Khǎi nâa jǎng!'
Don't over-apologize
If you say 'khǎi nâa' for a small mistake, Thais will usually say 'mai pen rai' to help you save face. Just smile and move on!
Signification
To be embarrassed in public.
Use with 'Jǎng'
Adding 'jǎng' (so) at the end makes it sound very natural and native-like: 'Khǎi nâa jǎng!'
Don't over-apologize
If you say 'khǎi nâa' for a small mistake, Thais will usually say 'mai pen rai' to help you save face. Just smile and move on!
The 'Nâa' Prefix
Remember that 'Nâa khǎi nâa' is the adjective. Use it to describe movies, stories, or news.
Empathy
Saying 'Khǎi nâa taen' (Embarrassed for you) is a great way to show you understand Thai social stakes.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word to say 'I am very embarrassed.'
ผม_____มากครับ (Phom _____ mâak krap)
'Khǎi nâa' is the idiom for being embarrassed.
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'Khǎi Nâa'?
Choose the best context:
'Khǎi nâa' requires a public mistake or social blunder.
Match the Thai phrase to its English meaning.
Match them up:
These are the different grammatical forms and synonyms.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ฉันลืมกระเป๋าสตางค์ตอนจ่ายเงิน B: _________ (A: I forgot my wallet while paying. B: _________)
'Khǎi nâa taen loei' means 'I'm embarrassed for you,' a common empathetic response.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ai vs. Khǎi Nâa
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesผม_____มากครับ (Phom _____ mâak krap)
'Khǎi nâa' is the idiom for being embarrassed.
Choose the best context:
'Khǎi nâa' requires a public mistake or social blunder.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the different grammatical forms and synonyms.
A: ฉันลืมกระเป๋าสตางค์ตอนจ่ายเงิน B: _________ (A: I forgot my wallet while paying. B: _________)
'Khǎi nâa taen loei' means 'I'm embarrassed for you,' a common empathetic response.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's a standard idiom. However, telling someone else 'You are selling face' can be a strong criticism.
Yes, if you are admitting your own mistake: 'Phom tham hai borisat khai naa' (I made the company lose face).
'Khǎi Nâa' is for general embarrassment. 'Sǐa Nâa' is specifically about losing honor or being humiliated in a power dynamic.
Yes, 'Nâa Taek' (Broken face) is very common among friends for funny mistakes.
Use 'Khǎi nâa taen' (ขายหน้าแทน).
No, use 'Ai' (อาย) for that. 'Khǎi nâa' is for when you actually say something wrong.
Yes, especially in news reports about scandals or sports defeats.
Yes. By definition, you need an audience to 'sell' your face to.
There isn't a direct single-word opposite, but 'Dai Nâa' (Get face) means to get credit or praise.
No, it is strictly for negative social situations.
Expressions liées
เสียหน้า
synonymTo lose face
หน้าแตก
similarBroken face
อับอาย
similarTo be humiliated
หน้าไม่อาย
contrastShameless
กู้หน้า
builds onTo save face
