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Learn 40+ Amazing Muay Thai Phrases Vocabulary Now
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By Simon
Updated on May 26, 2024
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If you truly want to experience Thai culture, taking up Thai boxing is a great place to start. And why don’t you learn some Muay Thai phrases vocabulary simultaneously!
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is one of the most popular sports in Thailand. Nowadays, Muay Thai is widespread internationally. The Professional Boxing Association of Thailand and the World Muay Thai Federation (WMF) govern the professional league.
Many tourists come to Thailand to join the Muay Thai sport for a period of time. Many places provide Muay Thai courses or camps; the trainers are Thai boxers. Some trainers can speak English and explain how to do various types of kicking, kneeing, punching, and so on.
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Is Muay Thai The Same As MMA?
There is a big difference between Muay Thai and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Originally from Thailand, Muay Thai is a striking style that emphasizes using the fist, elbow, knee, and shin. It uses eight points of touch and is sometimes referred to as the “Art of Eight Limbs” for this reason. Muay Thai is an integral part of Thai culture and has been practiced for generations.
On the other hand, MMA combines Muay Thai, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and other martial arts elements of the more modern combat sport known as mixed martial arts (MMA). Its attacking techniques are contested in a cage or ring, allowing for striking and grappling.
Following that, mixed martial arts (MMA) is a far more extensive and diversified combat sport that incorporates a wide range of techniques from numerous martial arts, including Muay Thai.
Are There Black Belts In Muay Thai?
Unlike other martial arts like Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo, Muay Thai does not have a black belt ranking system. Muay Thai, on the other hand, employs a system of colored armbands called ประเจียด (bprà jìat) and a headband called มงคล (mong kon) to indicate a practitioner’s skill and experience.
Examples of ประเจียด (bprà jìat) and มงคล (mong kon) colors are:
- White
- Red
- Red and White
- Blue
- Blue and White
- Silver
- Gold
Muay Thai Phrases Vocabulary
Check out the techniques of Muay Thai, a martial art with a long and distinguished history, down below!
| English | Thai | Pronunciation | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| To kick | เตะ | Dtaɛ̀ɛ | |
| Axe heel kick | เตะเข่า | Dtaɛ̀ɛ-kào | |
| Kick with foot | เตะเท้า | Dtaɛ̀ɛ-táo | |
| Round kick | เตะเหวี่ยง | Dtaɛ̀ɛ-wìaang | |
| Reverse roundhouse kick | เตะกลับหลัง | Dtaɛ̀ɛ-glàp-lǎng | |
| Jump kick | กระโดดเตะ | Grà-dot-dtaɛ̀ɛ | |
| To hit | ตี | Dtii | |
| To hit with fist | ตีหมัด | Dtii-màt | |
| Elbow slash | ตีศอก | Dtii-sɔ̀ɔk | |
| To box | ต่อย | Dtɔ̀ɔi | |
| Shadow boxing | ต่อยลม | Dtɔ̀ɔi-lom | |
| Jab | หมัดหน้า/หมัดแย็บ | Màt-nâa màt-yɛ́ɛp | / |
| Hook | หมัดเหวี่ยงสั้น | Màt-wìaang-sân | |
| Cross | หมัดตรง | Màt-dtrong | |
| Elbow | ศอก | Sɔ̀ɔk | |
| Horizontal elbow | ศอกตัด | Sɔ̀ɔk-dtàd | |
| Spinning elbow | ศอกกลับ | Sɔ̀ɔk-glàp | |
| Double elbow chop | ศอกกลับคู่ | Sɔ̀ɔk-glàp-kûu | |
| Straight knee strike | เข่าตรง | Kào-dtrong | |
| Curving knee strike | เข่าโค้ง | Kào-kóong | |
| Flying knee | เข่าลอย | Kào-lɔɔi | |
| Jumping knee strike | เข่าโดด | Kào-dòt | |
Straight forward foot push | ถีบตรง | Tìip-dtrong | |
| Sideways foot-thrust | ถีบข้าง | Tìip-kâang | |
| Reverse foot-thrust | ถีบกลับหลัง | Tìip-glàp-lǎng | |
| Jumping foot-thrust | กระโดดถีบ | Grà-dòt-tìip |
It’s worth emphasizing that the absence of a black belt ranking system does not diminish Muay Thai’s seriousness and respect as a martial art. On the contrary, because of Muay Thai’s long and fascinating history, its practitioners take the sport’s rituals in and out of the ring very seriously.
So, let’s look at some more important Muay Thai words below!
| English | Thai | Pronunciation | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremonial dance of Muay Thai (Respect for teacher) | ไหว้ครู | Wâi-kruu | |
| Boxing stadium | สนามมวย | Sà-nǎam-muai | |
| Boxing camp | ค่ายมวย | Kâai-muai | |
| The red corner | มุมแดง | Mum-daeng | |
| The blue corner | มุมน้ำเงิน | Mum-nám-ngern | |
| Referee | กรรมการ | Gam-má-gaan | |
| Boxer’s trunks | กางเกงมวย | Gang-gaeng-muai | |
| Left | ซ้าย | Sái | |
| Right | ขวา | Kwǎa | |
| Mouthguard | ฟันยาง | Fan-yaang | |
| Round | ยก | Yók | |
| Stop | หยุด | Yùt | |
| Gloves | นวม | Nuam | |
| Bandages worn under gloves | ผ้ามัดมือ | Pâ-mát-mʉʉ | |
| Judging | การตัดสิน | Gaan-dtàt-sǐin | |
| Win | ชนะ | Chá-ná | |
| Lost | แพ้ | Pɛ́ɛ | |
| Boxing trainer | พี่เลี้ยง | Pîi-líaang |
Of course, it is important that you know some numbers when the referee counts, e.g. 1-8. Please read this post about the most popular sports in Thailand.
Have fun learning Muay Thai!
How Do You Say Muay Thai In Thai?
The Thai word for massage is มวยไทย (muaythay).
Other Vocabulary For Muay Thai in Thai
Now that you know how to say ‘Muay Thai’ in Thai, you can try practicing talking about Muay Thai in Thai with these example sentences.
| English | Thai | Pronunciation | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| I like Muay Thai. | ฉันชอบมวยไทย | chǎn chɔ̂ɔp muaythay | |
| Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. | มวยไทยเป็นกีฬาประจำชาติของไทย | muaythay pen kiilaa pràcamchâat khɔ̌ɔŋ thay | |
| Training in Muay Thai helps increase strength. | การฝึกมวยไทยช่วยเพิ่มความแข็งแรง | kaan fʉ̀k muaythay chûay phə̂əm khwaamkhɛ̌ŋrɛɛŋ | |
| Have you ever watched Muay Thai? | คุณเคยดูมวยไทยไหม? | khun khəəy duu muaythay mǎy? |
Frequently Asked Questions About Muay Thai
Is Muay Thai Good For Self-Defence?
Yes. Muay Thai is one of the best martial arts for self-defence. You learn how to attack with your elbows, punches, kicks, and knees, and how to defend against such attacks. You learn how to fight in the clinch, and how to trip and throw opponents.
Do I Need To Be In Shape To Train Muay Thai?
No. You don’t need to be in shape to train Muay Thai. Anyone who wants to train can. Muay Thai instructors take pride in getting their students into the best shape of their lives, and training sessions can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour. This means your fitness level will increase exponentially once you start training Muay Thai. You’ll get to lose weight while building your arsenal of Muay Thai techniques.
How Long Will It Take Before I Can Spar In Muay Thai?
That depends on various factors like how often you train and how easily you pick up new techniques. Generally speaking, sparring is reserved for intermediate to advanced students. There’s no point sparring when you don’t even know how to throw a roundhouse kick properly.
Put On Your Boxing Gloves Today
Muay Thai is an exciting and powerful martial art that offers great benefits. It helps improve strength, fitness, and self-defense skills. Whether you’re watching it or practicing it, Muay Thai provides a thrilling experience. Embrace this traditional Thai sport and enjoy its many rewards!
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