मतलब
The strong dominate the weak.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Thailand, large family-owned conglomerates (like CP Group or Central Group) dominate many sectors. The phrase is often used by locals to express a mix of awe and resentment toward these 'Big Fish.' Thai stories often feature the 'clever small animal' (like the rabbit) outsmarting the 'big predator.' While 'Pla Yai Kin Pla Lek' is the reality, Thai culture celebrates those who can escape this fate through wit. Modern Thai protesters use the 'Big Fish' imagery in posters to represent monopolies and the military elite, contrasting them with the 'Small Fish' representing the general public. In rural areas, this proverb is taken more literally but still applied to village politics, such as a wealthy landowner taking over the fields of a debtor.
Use it for empathy
Using this phrase when someone loses their business shows you understand the unfairness of the world.
Don't use for literal fishing
If you are actually fishing and a big fish eats a small one, just describe it literally. Using the proverb sounds like you're making a deep political statement about the fish.
मतलब
The strong dominate the weak.
Use it for empathy
Using this phrase when someone loses their business shows you understand the unfairness of the world.
Don't use for literal fishing
If you are actually fishing and a big fish eats a small one, just describe it literally. Using the proverb sounds like you're making a deep political statement about the fish.
Combine with 'Sajatham'
Say 'มันคือสัจธรรม... ปลาใหญ่กินปลาเล็ก' (It is the absolute truth... big fish eat little fish) to sound like a wise native speaker.
The 'Ants' comeback
If someone says 'Pla Yai Kin Pla Lek' to you in a threatening way, you can counter with the 'Ants eat Fish' proverb to show that times change.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the missing word to complete the proverb.
ปลาใหญ่กินปลา____
The proverb is 'Pla Yai Kin Pla Lek' (Big fish eat little fish).
Which situation best fits the proverb 'ปลาใหญ่กินปลาเล็ก'?
A massive supermarket chain opens and causes 10 small local shops to close.
This situation describes a power imbalance where the large entity eliminates the smaller ones.
What is the figurative meaning of this phrase?
ปลาใหญ่กินปลาเล็ก หมายถึงอะไร?
It means those with more power exploit those who are weak.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: บริษัทเล็กๆ ของเราจะสู้เขาได้เหรอ? B: ยากนะ เพราะในโลกธุรกิจมันคือ ________
In business contexts, this proverb is the most appropriate to describe the difficulty of small companies competing with giants.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Power Dynamics
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासปลาใหญ่กินปลา____
The proverb is 'Pla Yai Kin Pla Lek' (Big fish eat little fish).
A massive supermarket chain opens and causes 10 small local shops to close.
This situation describes a power imbalance where the large entity eliminates the smaller ones.
ปลาใหญ่กินปลาเล็ก หมายถึงอะไร?
It means those with more power exploit those who are weak.
A: บริษัทเล็กๆ ของเราจะสู้เขาได้เหรอ? B: ยากนะ เพราะในโลกธุรกิจมันคือ ________
In business contexts, this proverb is the most appropriate to describe the difficulty of small companies competing with giants.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
12 सवालNo, it's a neutral proverb. However, using it to describe your own success might make you sound like a villain.
Yes, especially when discussing market risks or competitor analysis.
Not really, the four words are already very concise.
Usually, yes. It implies a lack of fairness or a harsh reality.
You could use 'แจ็คผู้ฆ่ายักษ์' (Jack the Giant Killer) or 'พลิกล็อก' (Pพลิก-lok - unexpected turn).
Very frequently, especially in the business and politics sections.
There isn't a direct opposite proverb, but 'การร่วมแรงร่วมใจ' (working together) is the conceptual opposite.
Yes, it can be used literally for the food chain, but it's 90% used for humans.
The words are A1, but the concept is B1. It's great for beginners to learn early.
Yes, it's a timeless proverb that hasn't gone out of style.
Not directly, but you can say 'เขาเป็นปลาใหญ่ในบ่อนี้' (He is a big fish in this pond).
Yes, but it emphasizes the 'eating' (exploitation) more than the 'survival' (adaptation).
संबंधित मुहावरे
น้ำมาปลากินมด น้ำลดมดกินปลา
similarWhen water rises, fish eat ants; when water falls, ants eat fish.
มือใครยาวสาวได้สาวเอา
similarWhoever has longer arms, grab what you can.
ขิงก็ราข่าก็แรง
contrastBoth ginger and galangal are strong/spicy.
นกน้อยทำรังแต่พอตัว
contrastA small bird builds a nest according to its size.
เหยียบเรือสองแคม
unrelatedStepping on two boats at once.
