Sawatdee ka,
I have seen many people misuse the polite title คุณ [kun]. When I write emails, I use the greeting “sawatdee ka Kun…”. Many times people wrote me or replied my email refer to themselves “Kun…” as well.
I would like to clarify this misunderstanding.
The word คุณ [kun] is put before first names or nicknames when refer to others, or when it is used as second or third person pronouns. It is used to address both males and females of similar or higher status in formal situation.
For example; Mr. Totsapol Thaitrong and Mrs. Suchanun Thaitrong will be known as Kun Totsapol and Kun Suchanun.
Don’t use คุณ [kun] before your own name when you refer to yourself na ka:))
Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
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Mod
Lou G says
When I was stationed in Thailand in 1973 – 1974 people used to call me Lou-Ja. What does Ja added to Lou mean? Thank you.
Mod says
“ja” is also a polite particle. It less formal than “krap” and “ka”, usually used among friends or when talking to a younger person.
expat08 says
Hi, Can you differentiate to me the title like kun (K.), Pi (?), and N
I know that Kun is to be use for polite on any level statue of person, and P. is for bosses, how about N.? Is there such?
Thank you.
Mod says
Sawatdii ka, in Thailand we don’t call people who are in a different age by just name. We use the title พี่ /pîi/ to call an older person but in the same genration and the word น้อง /náwng/ to call a younger person in the same generation. Some people don’t want to write the full word so they use P. for พี่ /pîi/ and N. for น้อง /náwng/. You can read more about Thai pronouns here: https://learnthaiwithmod.com/2011/11/personal-pronouns-in-thai-language/
Reflective material says
Thanks you for your lessons. I really like them. pls keep posting such useful lesson. Thanks for sharing.
Mod says
Thank you for your kind comments. We are delighted. 🙂
คารโล says
คุณทศพลไทยตรงคือคุณมิ้งใช่ไหม 🙂 แล้วก็คุณสุชานันไทยตรงเป็นคุณใหม่ 🙂
ขอบคุณมากๆครูมดที่ทุกๆบทในบล็อกของคุณครับ