Main Translations

English: bra

Thai: บรา (Bra)

Phonetic: Bra (pronounced as /brɑː/ in English; in Thai, it's similar, often romanized as "bra" with a neutral tone)

Detailed Explanation: The word "bra" is a common noun in English, referring to a brassiere, which is an undergarment designed to support and cover the breasts. It is widely used in everyday contexts such as fashion, retail, and personal care. Usage scenarios include shopping for clothing, discussing health and comfort (e.g., in fitness or medical settings), or casual conversations. Emotionally, it carries neutral connotations but can imply empowerment or body positivity in modern discussions, especially in feminist or wellness contexts. Semantically, it is a borrowed word in many languages, including Thai, and has no strong nuances beyond its functional description.

Thai: ชุดชั้นใน (Chut chan nin)

Phonetic: Chut chan nin (pronounced as /chùt chàn nín/ in Thai, with a rising tone on "chut" and a mid tone on "nin")

Detailed Explanation: This is a secondary and more general translation in Thai, meaning "underwear" or "undergarment." While "บรา" is a direct loanword from English specifically for a bra, "ชุดชั้นใน" is used in broader contexts to refer to any intimate apparel, including bras. In Thai culture, it might carry subtle connotations of modesty or privacy, as discussions about undergarments are often private. Semantically, it emphasizes functionality and everyday wear, with usage scenarios in retail, laundry, or health-related talks.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "bra" is primarily a noun used in practical, everyday contexts related to clothing, fashion, health, and retail. In English and Thai, it appears in scenarios involving shopping (e.g., business settings), daily routines (e.g., leisure), formal discussions (e.g., medical or professional advice), and informal chats (e.g., among friends). Its usage is neutral and functional, with increasing emphasis on comfort and inclusivity in modern conversations, such as in body-positive movements or e-commerce for "bra shopping" in Thailand.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: We need to stock up on comfortable bras for the upcoming sales season.

Thai: เราต้องตุนบราระบบสบายสำหรับฤดูกาลขายที่กำลังจะมาถึง

Grammatical Breakdown: เราต้อง (We must), ตุน (stock up), บรา (bras), ระบบสบาย (comfortable system, referring to design), สำหรับ (for), ฤดูกาลขาย (sales season), ที่กำลังจะมาถึง (that is coming).

Structural Analysis: This is a declarative sentence in the present tense, with "bras" as the direct object. The structure follows a subject-verb-object pattern, common in business English, emphasizing necessity and planning. In Thai, it uses a similar subject-verb-object order, making it straightforward for "bra-related" retail discussions.

Leisure Scenario

English: After yoga, I always change into a soft bra for relaxation.

Thai: หลังจากโยคะ ฉันมักจะเปลี่ยนเป็นบราที่นุ่มสำหรับการผ่อนคลาย

Grammatical Breakdown: หลังจาก (After), โยคะ (yoga), ฉัน (I), มักจะ (always), เปลี่ยนเป็น (change into), บรา (bra), ที่นุ่ม (that is soft), สำหรับ (for), การผ่อนคลาย (relaxation).

Structural Analysis: This declarative sentence uses a time clause ("After yoga") followed by the main clause, illustrating sequential actions. "Bra" functions as the object of "change into," highlighting casual, personal usage in leisure activities. In Thai, the sentence maintains a natural flow, suitable for everyday "bra comfort" conversations.

Formal Occasion

English: During the health seminar, the expert discussed the importance of a well-fitted bra for posture.

Thai: ในเซminar สุขภาพ ผู้เชี่ยวชาญได้พูดถึงความสำคัญของบราที่พอดีสำหรับท่าทาง

Grammatical Breakdown: ใน (In), เซminar สุขภาพ (health seminar), ผู้เชี่ยวชาญ (expert), ได้พูดถึง (discussed), ความสำคัญ (importance), ของ (of), บรา (bra), ที่พอดี (that fits well), สำหรับ (for), ท่าทาง (posture).

Structural Analysis: This complex declarative sentence includes a subordinate clause ("the importance of a well-fitted bra"), with "bra" as the object. It employs formal language for professional settings, emphasizing educational value. In Thai, the structure is formal and descriptive, ideal for "bra health" topics in seminars.

Informal Occasion

English: Hey, do you know where I can find a cheap bra online?

Thai: เฮ้ คุณรู้ไหมว่าฉันหาบราราคาถูกออนไลน์ได้ที่ไหน

Grammatical Breakdown: เฮ้ (Hey), คุณ (you), รู้ไหมว่า (do you know that), ฉัน (I), หา (find), บรา (bra), ราคาถูก (cheap), ออนไลน์ (online), ได้ที่ไหน (where).

Structural Analysis: This interrogative sentence starts with an informal greeting and uses a question word ("where"), with "bra" as the direct object. It reflects casual inquiry, common in friend-to-friend talks. In Thai, the sentence is conversational, enhancing its use in informal "bra shopping" queries.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: She prefers sports bras for her daily workouts.

Thai: เธอชอบบราสำหรับกีฬาสำหรับการออกกำลังกายประจำวัน

Grammatical Breakdown: เธอ (She), ชอบ (prefers), บราสำหรับกีฬา (sports bras), สำหรับ (for), การออกกำลังกาย (workouts), ประจำวัน (daily).

Structural Analysis: A simple declarative sentence with "bras" as the object, stating a preference. It uses present tense for habitual actions, suitable for general statements about "bra types."

Interrogative Sentence

English: Is this bra size correct for me?

Thai: บราไซต์นี้ถูกต้องสำหรับฉันไหม

Grammatical Breakdown: บรา (bra), ไซต์ (size), นี้ (this), ถูกต้อง (correct), สำหรับ (for), ฉัน (me), ไหม (question particle).

Structural Analysis: This yes/no interrogative sentence places the subject ("bra size") first, followed by a question tag. It seeks confirmation, common in fitting scenarios for "bra selection."

Imperative Sentence

English: Try on the bra before buying it.

Thai: ลองบรก่อนซื้อ

Grammatical Breakdown: ลอง (Try), บรา (bra), ก่อน (before), ซื้อ (buying).

Structural Analysis: An imperative sentence giving a command, with "bra" as the direct object. It implies advice, often used in retail for "bra fitting" instructions.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a comfortable bra this is!

Thai: บรานี่สบายมากเลย!

Grammatical Breakdown: บรา (bra), นี้ (this), สบาย (comfortable), มาก (very), เลย (emphasis particle).

Structural Analysis: This exclamatory sentence expresses surprise or enthusiasm, with "bra" as the subject. It uses exclamation for emotional emphasis in positive "bra experiences."

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: I bought a bra.

Thai: ฉันซื้อบรา

Grammatical Breakdown: ฉัน (I), ซื้อ (bought), บรา (bra).

Structural Analysis: A basic subject-verb-object structure in present perfect tense, ideal for beginners discussing "bra purchase."

Intermediate Sentence

English: The bra I chose is wireless and breathable.

Thai: บราที่ฉันเลือกเป็นแบบไร้สายและระบายอากาศ

Grammatical Breakdown: บรา (bra), ที่ (that), ฉันเลือก (I chose), เป็น (is), แบบไร้สาย (wireless), และ (and), ระบายอากาศ (breathable).

Structural Analysis: This compound sentence adds descriptors, with "bra" as the subject, suitable for intermediate "bra features" descriptions.

Complex Sentence

English: Although it's expensive, the bra offers excellent support, which is why I recommend it.

Thai: แม้ว่ามันจะแพงแต่บรานี้ให้การสนับสนุนที่ยอดเยี่ยม ซึ่งเป็นเหตุผลที่ฉันแนะนำ

Grammatical Breakdown: แม้ว่า (Although), มัน (it), จะแพง (expensive), แต่ (but), บรา (bra), นี้ (this), ให้ (offers), การสนับสนุน (support), ที่ยอดเยี่ยม (excellent), ซึ่ง (which), เป็นเหตุผล (is the reason), ที่ (that), ฉันแนะนำ (I recommend).

Structural Analysis: A complex sentence with subordinate clauses, using "bra" as the main subject. It builds argumentation, advanced for "bra recommendations."

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Brassiere – Used interchangeably with "bra" in formal contexts, often in fashion or medical discussions for undergarment support.
• Sports bra – A specific type emphasizing athletic wear, commonly used in fitness scenarios for comfort during exercise.

Antonyms:

• Go braless – The opposite concept, meaning to not wear a bra, often discussed in casual or body-positive contexts as a form of freedom.
• Undergarment-free – A broader antonym, referring to avoiding any undergarments, though less common and more informal.

Common Collocations:

• Push-up bra – Refers to a bra that enhances breast shape, frequently used in beauty and fashion contexts for styling advice.
• Wireless bra – Describes a bra without underwires, popular in comfort-focused discussions, especially for everyday or leisure wear.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

• Cultural Point 1: In Western cultures, the bra symbolizes women's empowerment and body autonomy, evolving from restrictive garments in the early 20th century to modern designs promoting comfort. In Thai culture, influenced by globalization, "bra" (บรา) is a borrowed term reflecting urbanization and fashion trends, but discussions may still lean toward modesty due to traditional values, as seen in Thai media or e-commerce platforms like Lazada for "bra shopping."

Usage Habits:

• Habit 1: The word is frequently used in urban, younger demographics in Thailand, especially in online shopping and social media, with high popularity among women aged 18-40. It's less common in rural areas or formal settings due to cultural sensitivities, appearing daily in casual contexts but sparingly in public discourse.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Bra" functions primarily as a countable noun, serving as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase in sentences (e.g., subject in "The bra fits well"). It can be modified by adjectives (e.g., "comfortable bra") and is pluralized as "bras."

Tense and Voice: As a noun, "bra" does not change with tenses. However, in sentences, it can appear in various voices: active (e.g., "I bought a bra") or passive (e.g., "The bra was designed for comfort"). In Thai, it remains invariant, with tense indicated by context or auxiliary verbs like "ซื้อ" (bought).

References

Etymology and History:

The English word "bra" is derived from the French "brassière," originally meaning an infant's vest or bodice, shortened in the early 20th century during the women's liberation movement. In Thai, "บรา" entered the language post-World War II through Western influence, evolving with global fashion trends and now commonly used in modern retail.

Literary References:

• From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath (1963): "I tried to imagine what it would be like if you were a man and had to live in a bra all day." This quote highlights societal pressures, sourced from feminist literature.
• In Thai literature, such as in contemporary novels like "Bangkok 8" by John Burdett (influenced by Thai culture), indirect references to undergarments appear in urban settings, though "bra" is not a central theme.