Main Translations

English: Alimony

Phonetic: AL-uh-moh-nee (IPA: /ˈæl.ɪ.mə.ni/)

Detailed Explanation: Alimony is a legal term referring to the financial support or payments that one spouse is required to provide to the other after a divorce or separation. It is often awarded in cases where one partner was financially dependent on the other during the marriage. Usage scenarios typically involve family law, divorce proceedings, or financial planning. Emotionally, it carries connotations of obligation, fairness, and sometimes resentment, as it addresses economic imbalances. Semantic nuances include its role in promoting gender equality in some contexts, though it can also highlight societal inequalities.

Thai: เงินบำรุงเลี้ยง (Ngern Ba-mung Liang)

Phonetic: Ngern Ba-mung Liang (IPA: /nɜːn bɑː.mʊŋ liː.ɑːŋ/)

Detailed Explanation: In Thai, "เงินบำรุงเลี้ยง" directly translates to alimony and is used in legal contexts to describe court-ordered financial support post-divorce. It emphasizes maintenance and sustenance, often for the less financially stable spouse. Usage scenarios include family court hearings or discussions about marital assets. Emotionally, it may evoke themes of responsibility and social welfare, with nuances reflecting Thailand's cultural emphasis on family harmony and Buddhist principles of compassion. This term is commonly used in formal legal documents.

Thai: ค่าเลี้ยงดู (Kha Liang Du)

Phonetic: Kha Liang Du (IPA: /kʰɑː liː.ɑːŋ duː/)

Detailed Explanation: As a secondary translation, "ค่าเลี้ยงดู" means "maintenance fee" or "support payment" and is interchangeable with alimony in everyday Thai legal discussions. It focuses on the cost of daily upkeep. Usage scenarios might involve informal negotiations or media reports on divorce cases. Emotionally, it can imply nurturing or care, aligning with Thai cultural values of familial duty. Semantic nuances include its broader application to child support, making it less specific than "เงินบำรุงเลี้ยง."

Overview of Usage Scenarios

Alimony is primarily used in legal and financial contexts, such as divorce settlements, court proceedings, and family law discussions. It appears in formal settings like business negotiations, legal consultations, or financial planning sessions. In Thai culture, it is less common in casual conversations due to the sensitivity of divorce topics but may arise in informal family disputes or media reports. Key scenarios include professional environments (e.g., law firms), personal life events (e.g., separations), and public discourse on gender rights, highlighting its role in addressing economic disparities.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: In business law, alimony is often negotiated as part of a comprehensive divorce settlement to ensure financial stability for the dependent spouse.

Thai: ในกฎหมายธุรกิจ เงินบำรุงเลี้ยงมักถูกเจรจาเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของการตกลงหย่าร้างที่ครอบคลุมเพื่อให้แน่ใจว่าคู่สมรสที่พึ่งพาทางการเงินมีความมั่นคง (Nai got-muem tura-kit, ngern ba-mung liang mak tuk jer-ja bang song neung khor kang dtok-long ya-rang tee krob-kum pêu hai nae chua sam-rot tee peung-pa tahng gaan ngern mee khwam mun-kang).

Grammatical Breakdown: "In business law" (prepositional phrase indicating context), "alimony is often negotiated" (subject-verb phrase with adverb "often"), "as part of" (prepositional phrase showing relationship), "a comprehensive divorce settlement" (noun phrase as object), "to ensure financial stability" (infinitive phrase for purpose).

Structural Analysis: This is a complex sentence with a main clause ("alimony is often negotiated") and subordinate clauses for context and purpose. It uses passive voice for objectivity, common in business English, and follows a formal structure to emphasize legal processes.

Leisure Scenario

English: During our vacation, we discussed how alimony might affect our friends' post-divorce lifestyle choices.

Thai: ในระหว่างการพักร้อน เราคุยกันว่าค่าเลี้ยงดูอาจส่งผลต่อวิถีชีวิตหลังหย่าร้างของเพื่อนของเรา (Nai ben-kan gaan pak-ron, rao kuy gan wa kha liang du at song phal tor witi chii-wit lang ya-rang khor phueng khor rao).

Grammatical Breakdown: "During our vacation" (prepositional phrase for time), "we discussed" (subject-verb), "how alimony might affect" (subordinate clause with modal verb "might"), "our friends' post-divorce lifestyle choices" (possessive noun phrase as object).

Structural Analysis: This is a compound sentence blending narrative and hypothetical elements, suitable for casual leisure talks. It uses indirect speech for relatability, making it less formal than business contexts.

Formal Occasion

English: The judge ruled that alimony payments must continue until the children reach adulthood.

Thai: ศาลตัดสินว่าการจ่ายเงินบำรุงเลี้ยงต้องดำเนินต่อไปจนกว่าลูกจะบรรลุนิติภาวะ (San dtat sin wa gaan jai ngern ba-mung liang dtong dum-neun tor pai jon ma luuk ja ban-lu ni-ti pha-wa).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The judge ruled" (subject-verb), "that alimony payments must continue" (subordinate clause with modal "must"), "until the children reach adulthood" (subordinate clause for condition).

Structural Analysis: A declarative sentence with a formal tone, using subordination to show sequence and obligation. This structure is typical in legal or official settings for clarity and authority.

Informal Occasion

English: I heard she's getting alimony from her ex, which is helping her get back on her feet.

Thai: ฉันได้ยินว่าเธอได้รับค่าเลี้ยงดูจากอดีตสามี ซึ่งช่วยให้เธอกลับมาใช้ชีวิตได้อีกครั้ง (Chan dai yin wa thoe pai rap kha liang du jaak a-dit sa-mee, teung chuay hai thoe glub ma chai chii-wit dai ik krang).

Grammatical Breakdown: "I heard" (subject-verb for introduction), "she's getting alimony" (present continuous tense for ongoing action), "from her ex" (prepositional phrase), "which is helping" (relative clause).

Structural Analysis: An informal, conversational sentence with a relative clause for additional detail. It uses simple present tense to convey empathy, making it suitable for everyday discussions.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: Alimony is a court-ordered payment for spousal support after divorce.

Thai: เงินบำรุงเลี้ยงเป็นการจ่ายเงินที่ศาลสั่งให้เพื่อสนับสนุนคู่สมรสหลังหย่าร้าง (Ngern ba-mung liang pen gaan jai ngern tee san sang hai pêu sanup-sun cûe sam-rot lang ya-rang).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Alimony is" (subject-copula verb), "a court-ordered payment" (predicate nominative), "for spousal support after divorce" (prepositional phrases).

Structural Analysis: Straightforward declarative structure for factual statements, emphasizing definition.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Have you considered how alimony could impact your financial future?

Thai: คุณเคยคิดไหมว่าค่าเลี้ยงดูอาจส่งผลต่ออนาคตทางการเงินของคุณ (Khun koey khit mai wa kha liang du at song phal tor a-na-khot tahng gaan ngern khor khun).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Have you considered" (auxiliary verb + subject + main verb), "how alimony could impact" (interrogative word + subordinate clause).

Structural Analysis: Question form to prompt discussion, using inversion for inquiry in legal consultations.

Imperative Sentence

English: Consult a lawyer about alimony before finalizing your divorce.

Thai: ปรึกษาทนายความเรื่องค่าเลี้ยงดูก่อนตกลงหย่าร้าง (Pa-soen tah-nai khwam reuang kha liang du kon dtok-long ya-rang).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Consult a lawyer" (imperative verb + object), "about alimony" (prepositional phrase), "before finalizing" (subordinate clause).

Structural Analysis: Direct command for advice, common in informal guidance.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a relief it is to finally receive alimony after the long court battle!

Thai: ช่างเป็นความโล่งใจอะไรเช่นนี้ที่ได้เงินบำรุงเลี้ยงในที่สุดหลังจากศึกศาลอันยาวนาน! (Chang pen khwam loang jai ar chun nee tee dai ngern ba-mung liang nai thi-sat lang jaak soek san an yao-naan!)

Grammatical Breakdown: "What a relief it is" (exclamation structure), "to finally receive alimony" (infinitive phrase).

Structural Analysis: Emphasizes emotion through exclamation, suitable for personal narratives.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: She receives alimony monthly.

Thai: เธอได้รับเงินบำรุงเลี้ยงทุกเดือน (Thoe pai rap ngern ba-mung liang took duean).

Grammatical Breakdown: "She receives" (subject-verb), "alimony monthly" (object-adverb).

Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb-object structure for beginners.

Intermediate Sentence

English: Alimony helps cover living expenses after a divorce.

Thai: เงินบำรุงเลี้ยงช่วยให้ครอบคลุมค่าใช้จ่ายในการดำรงชีวิตหลังหย่าร้าง (Ngern ba-mung liang chuay hai krob-kum kha chai jai nai gaan dam-rong chii-wit lang ya-rang).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Alimony helps" (subject-verb), "cover living expenses" (infinitive object), "after a divorce" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Includes a purpose clause, adding moderate complexity.

Complex Sentence

English: Although alimony is intended to provide financial support, it can lead to ongoing disputes if not clearly defined in the settlement.

Thai: แม้ว่าเงินบำรุงเลี้ยงจะมีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อให้การสนับสนุนทางการเงิน แต่ก็อาจก่อให้เกิดข้อพิพาทที่ยืดเยื้อหากไม่มีการกำหนดอย่างชัดเจนในข้อตกลง (Ma wa ngern ba-mung liang ja mee wat-too pra-song pêu hai gaan sanup-sun tahng gaan ngern, tae ga at gor hai geerd eua pit-pat tee yeud yuea haak mai mee gaan kam-nod yang chat-chen nai eua dtok-long).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although alimony is intended" (subordinate clause), "it can lead to ongoing disputes" (main clause), "if not clearly defined" (conditional clause).

Structural Analysis: Multiple clauses for advanced users, showing cause-effect relationships.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Spousal support – Used interchangeably with alimony in legal contexts to emphasize ongoing financial aid for a former spouse.
• Maintenance payments – A near synonym that highlights regular financial contributions, often in British English or international law.

Antonyms:

• Self-sufficiency – Refers to financial independence, contrasting alimony by implying no need for support.
• Asset division – An antonym in divorce contexts, focusing on splitting property rather than ongoing payments.

Common Collocations:

• Alimony payments – Refers to the regular installments, commonly used in financial planning or court orders.
• Court-ordered alimony – Emphasizes the legal mandate, often in formal discussions about enforcement.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

• Cultural Point 1: In Western cultures, alimony reflects evolving gender roles and feminist movements, originating from historical practices where women were often financially dependent. In Thailand, it ties into Buddhist values of compassion and family duty, but traditional norms may discourage public discussions of divorce, making alimony a sensitive topic.

Usage Habits:

• Habit 1: Alimony terms are frequently used in urban, educated circles in Thailand, such as among lawyers or in Bangkok's family courts, but less so in rural areas where community support replaces formal payments. It is popular in media and legal education, with increasing frequency due to rising divorce rates.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Alimony" functions as a noun, typically as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase in sentences (e.g., subject in "Alimony is required"). It can also be modified by adjectives like "court-ordered alimony."

Tense and Voice: As a noun, it doesn't change tenses directly but appears in various verb tenses depending on context (e.g., present: "She receives alimony"; past: "He paid alimony last year"). In passive voice, it's common in formal sentences like "Alimony was awarded by the court," emphasizing the action rather than the doer.

References

Etymology and History:

Alimony derives from Latin "alimonia," meaning "nourishment" or "sustenance," evolving in English law during the 17th century to address spousal support in divorce cases. In Thailand, the concept was influenced by Western legal systems during the 20th century, with modern adaptations in the Thai Civil and Commercial Code.

Literary References:

• From Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" (1813): "The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news," indirectly touching on financial dependencies that could lead to alimony-like arrangements.
• In contemporary literature, such as John Grisham's "The Firm" (1991): "Alimony and child support were eating into his savings," illustrating the word in a modern legal thriller context.