Bedeutung
Spending a lot to gain social status.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of 'Face' is central. Being 'หน้าใหญ่' is often seen as a way to protect one's family honor in public. Bosses are often expected to be 'หน้าใหญ่' and pay for their subordinates' meals to show power and kindness. Younger Thais use 'หน้าใหญ่' sarcastically to tease friends who 'flex' on Instagram. In village life, being 'หน้าใหญ่' during festivals (like Bun Bang Fai) is a way to gain merit and social standing.
Use with 'Don't'
It's very common to say 'อย่าหน้าใหญ่' (Don't be a big shot) as friendly advice.
Tone Matters
If you say it too harshly, it sounds like a serious insult to someone's character.
Bedeutung
Spending a lot to gain social status.
Use with 'Don't'
It's very common to say 'อย่าหน้าใหญ่' (Don't be a big shot) as friendly advice.
Tone Matters
If you say it too harshly, it sounds like a serious insult to someone's character.
The 'Face' Connection
Always remember that 'Na' (Face) = Reputation. This helps you understand dozens of other Thai idioms.
Sarcasm
Thais often use this sarcastically about themselves when they are about to do something slightly extravagant.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best sentence for someone who just paid for everyone's dinner to look cool.
สมชายจ่ายเงินค่าอาหารให้เพื่อนทุกคน เพราะเขาอยาก...
หน้าใหญ่ (Big face) is the idiom for spending to look important.
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
อย่าทำเป็น_______เลย ทั้งที่ไม่มีเงินในบัญชี
The sentence warns against acting like a big shot when having no money.
Match the situation to the idiom.
Buying a luxury car you can't afford to impress your neighbors.
This situation perfectly describes seeking status through spending.
Complete the dialogue.
A: มื้อนี้ฉันเลี้ยงเองนะ B: โห! วันนี้ทำไมคุณ________จัง?
B is commenting on A's sudden generosity/show-off behavior.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Generous vs. หน้าใหญ่
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenสมชายจ่ายเงินค่าอาหารให้เพื่อนทุกคน เพราะเขาอยาก...
หน้าใหญ่ (Big face) is the idiom for spending to look important.
อย่าทำเป็น_______เลย ทั้งที่ไม่มีเงินในบัญชี
The sentence warns against acting like a big shot when having no money.
Buying a luxury car you can't afford to impress your neighbors.
This situation perfectly describes seeking status through spending.
A: มื้อนี้ฉันเลี้ยงเองนะ B: โห! วันนี้ทำไมคุณ________จัง?
B is commenting on A's sudden generosity/show-off behavior.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenMostly yes, it implies you are doing it for show. But among close friends, it can be a teasing way to say someone is being very generous.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. You can say 'เธอหน้าใหญ่' (She is a big spender).
There isn't a direct 'Small Face' idiom for being cheap. You would use 'ขี้เหนียว' (stingy) or 'ประหยัด' (frugal).
No! That would be very disrespectful. It implies your boss is a show-off.
Very similar, but 'Big Shot' can also mean someone who is actually powerful. 'หน้าใหญ่' focuses more on the *act* of spending to look powerful.
You can say 'ผมไม่ได้หน้าใหญ่ขนาดนั้น' (I'm not that much of a big shot).
No, that's an English term for a confrontation. Thai 'Face' idioms are about social reputation.
Sometimes, like taking on too much work just to look capable, but 90% of the time it's about money.
It's A2. It's a basic idiom that you will hear very early in social conversations.
No, it's just more colorful and rhythmic. It's still informal.
In many Asian cultures, the face is the public 'you'. If your face is 'big', your public persona is large.
Only if you are talking about why you *don't* spend company money wastefully! Otherwise, avoid it.
Verwandte Redewendungen
หน้าใหญ่ใจโต
similarBig face, big heart; very extravagant.
อวดรวย
synonymTo show off wealth.
สายเปย์
similarA person who likes to pay for others.
ใจกว้าง
contrastGenerous / Open-hearted.
หน้าเงิน
contrastMoney-faced; greedy.
