Are you wondering what the commonly used words for describing moods and emotions in Thai are? Whether you are planning to go on a quick visit or if you are moving for good in Thailand, words related to feelings or ความรู้สึก (Khwām roo sụk) will come in handy. After all, we can never control when these feelings will change and what type of emotion we want to show for the day. Fortunately, there are plenty of words that go beyond โกรธ (gròot or angry) and เศร้า (sâo or sad)! In today’s post, we will walk you through all these words to help you create better expressions and be understood by the locals.
Allow us to ask you…วันนี้สบายดีไหม? (wan nee sabay di mai?) How are you today? What exact feelings have you been trying to bottle up inside today?
Let’s be honest, the feelings and emotions of humans are pretty complicated, yet it is a subject that has always intrigued us. What makes it interesting from a physiological point is that once a feeling change, everything about the world changes for you too. So, perhaps, you will start looking at things differently and will even influence others how and what to feel. And the best part about this is that feelings are not the same for all people, which is why some jokes may work, while others may find it uninteresting or may even end up getting angry at you.
So, before we take a deep dive into the exact words you can use to express specific emotions, let’s first focus on the important definitions related to this topic. You see, in order for one to begin using the terms in this post effectively, one must first understand what emotional literacy is all about.
Moods And Emotions
Emotional literacy is a skill that refers to one’s innate ability to communicate and identify one’s exact feelings authentically. This is an important skill to develop, especially for children, since this can help them create stable and lasting relationships if they know how to handle their own emotions. One of the basic ways to ensure that you practice this skill is by directly processing it internally and then explaining it to the people around you. To help you get started, below are some common expressions you can use.
English | Thai | Pronunciation |
I appreciate you. | ฉันขอขอบคุณคุณ | chăn kŏr kòp kun kun |
I am contented. | ฉันพอใจแล้ว | chăn por jai láew |
Are you okay? | คุณสบายดีไหม? | kun sà-baai dee măi |
How are you doing? | เป็นไงบ้าง | bpen ngai bâang |
I want to be alone. | ฉันอยากอยู่คนเดียว. | chăn yàak yòo kon diieow |
I need some time. | ฉันต้องการเวลา | chăn dtông gaan way-laa |
I need help. | ฉันต้องการความช่วยเหลือ. | chăn dtông gaan kwaam chûuay lĕuua |
I am feeling happy. | ฉันรู้สึกมีความสุข | chăn róo sèuk mee kwaam sùk |
I am not happy with what happened. | ฉันไม่พอใจกับสิ่งที่เกิดขึ้น | chăn mâi por jai gàp sìng têe gèrt kêun |
I do not like that. | ฉันไม่ชอบ | chăn mâi chôp |
8 Primary Emotions In The Thai Language
In order to learn and master emotional literacy skills, you also have to memorize the primary emotions that every human has, according to Dr. Plutchik. Below are the translations for each.
English | Thai | Pronunciation |
Happiness | ความสุข | kwaam sùk |
Sadness | ความเศร้าโศก | kwaam sâo sòhk |
Disgust | ขยะแขยง | kà yà kà yăeng |
Acceptance | การยอมรับ | gaan yom ráp |
Anger | วิโรธ | wí-rôht |
Fear | กลัว | gluua |
Surprised | น่าประหลาดใจ | nâa bprà-làat jai |
Hopeful | มีความหวัง | mee kwaam wăng |
Moods And Emotions In Thai Language

Now that we know the basic emotions, let’s us now dive deep into the translations for the most commonly used Thai words related to feelings so that you can start expressing yourself with confidence!
Thai Words When You Are Feeling Negative Emotions
English | Thai | Pronunciation |
Angry | โกรธ | gròot |
Annoyed | รำคาญ | ram kaan |
Anxious | ห่วงใย | hùang yai |
Bored | เบื่อ | bèua |
Depressed | หดหู่ | hòt hòo |
Disappointed | ผิดหวัง | phìt wăng |
Discouraged | หมดกำลังใจ | mòt gam lang jai |
Embarrassed | เขิน | kĕrn |
Envious | อิจฉา | ìt chăa |
Exhausted | ล้า | láa |
Frightened | ตกใจ | dtòk jai |
Frustrated | หงุดหงิด | ngùt-ngìt |
Gloomy | มืดมน | mûuet-mon |
Hurt | ทำให้เจ็บ | tham hâi jèp |
Irritated | เคือง | kiyung |
Jealous | หึง | hĕung |
Lonely | เหงา | ngǎo |
Miserable | ทุกข์ยาก | thúk yâak |
Nervous | กังวล | gang won |
Sad | เศร้า | sâo |
Shocked | ผวา | phà wăa |
Stressed | เครียด | krîat |
Tired | เหนื่อย | nùueai |
Upset | อารมณ์เสีย | aa rom sǐia |
Weak | อ่อนแอ | òn ae |
Thai Words When You Are Feeling Positive Emotions
English | Thai | Pronunciation |
Calm | ใจเย็น | jai yen |
Strong | แข็งแรง | kăeng raeng |
Brave | กล้า | glâa |
Kind | ใจดี | Jai dii |
Confident | มั่นใจ | mân jai |
Lively | คึกคัก | kéuk kák |
Relaxed | สบายๆ | sà baai sà baai |
Impressed | ประทับใจ | bprà táp jai |
Glad | ดีใจ | dee jai |
Happy | มีความสุข | mee kwaam sùk |
Nice | ดี | dī |
Great | ยอดเยี่ยม | yâawt yîiam |
Honest | ซื่อสัตย์ | sûue sàt |
Funny | ตลก | dtà lòk |
Satisfied | พอใจ | phaaw jai |
Excited | ตื่นเต้น | dtùuen-dtên |
Warm | อบอุ่น | òp-ùn |
Learn Thai Language Using The Ling App!
By the time we get to this part of the post, we hope to have found all the translations you could possibly need in the future. If you enjoyed this post, we highly recommend that you check out our other language content, such as the vocabulary used by the locals for cooking, utensils, Thai dishes, and the top popular dishes to try out in Thailand! All of these guides are useful in the sense they can help you connect better and talk with the locals with confidence.

Now, if you want to consider learning the Thai language for free, we highly recommend checking out the Ling App by Simya Solutions. This language learning tool is developed by a team of native speakers and language professionals with the goal of supporting language learners in their journey towards fluency in 60+ foreign languages. It is scientifically created with a focus on gamification to make you excited and motivated to learn even by using the app for just 10 minutes per day!
From the inside, you can get instant access to a range of fun mini-quizzes, exciting games, and lessons that are regularly updated! With all these considered, we invite you to download it now and get a comprehensive resource that you can use anytime and anywhere!