Main Translations

The English word "injurious" refers to something that causes harm, damage, or negative effects, often in physical, emotional, or environmental ways. In Thai, this concept is commonly expressed with words that highlight prevention and safety, reflecting Thailand's cultural emphasis on harmony and well-being.

Thai Primary Translation: เป็นอันตราย (bpen an-ta-rai) Phonetic: Pronounced as "bpen an-ta-rai" (with a rising tone on "bpen" and a falling tone on "antarai"). Explanation: In Thai culture, "เป็นอันตราย" isn't just a neutral descriptor—it's loaded with emotional connotations of caution and protection. Thai people often use it in daily life to discuss anything from health risks (like smoking or pollution) to social harms (like gossip or toxic relationships). This word evokes a sense of urgency tied to Buddhist principles of avoiding suffering, making it a staple in conversations about personal safety or community welfare. For instance, parents might warn children about "อันตราย" from street food vendors, underscoring Thailand's collectivist mindset where individual actions impact the group. Unlike in English, where "injurious" can sound formal, Thai usage is more conversational and preventive, appearing in casual chats as well as official warnings.

No secondary translations are necessary here, as "เป็นอันตราย" fully captures the core meaning in standard Thai. However, in more formal or legal contexts, you might encounter "ก่อให้เกิดความเสียหาย" (gor hai geert khwam sia-hai), meaning "causing damage," which adds a layer of specificity.

Usage Overview

In Thailand, "injurious" and its Thai equivalents are frequently used in contexts involving health, safety, and environmental issues, reflecting the country's growing awareness of urban challenges like air pollution in Bangkok. In everyday scenarios, it's a go-to word for expressing concerns about anything harmful, from workplace hazards to unhealthy habits. Urban areas like Bangkok tend to use it in more formal settings, such as news reports or business discussions, while rural regions like Chiang Mai might frame it through agricultural risks (e.g., pesticides being "injurious" to crops). This regional variation highlights Thailand's blend of modernity and tradition—city dwellers often link it to legal or scientific terms, whereas rural communities emphasize practical, community-based prevention.

Example Sentences

To make this word practical for learners, here are a few relevant examples drawn from real-life Thai scenarios. We've selected three key contexts—everyday conversation, business settings, and practical travel phrases—to show how "injurious" translates and adapts naturally.

Everyday Conversation

English: Smoking is injurious to your health, so you should quit. Thai: การสูบบุหรี่เป็นอันตรายต่อสุขภาพของคุณ ดังนั้นคุณควรเลิก (gaan soop boo-rii bpen an-ta-rai tor sook-ga-pab khong kun, dang nan kun kuan loik). Brief Notes: This sentence is perfect for casual chats, like advising a friend. In Thailand, health discussions often tie into cultural norms of respect and care, so using a gentle tone avoids sounding judgmental. It's a common phrase in family settings, where prevention is key.

Business Context

English: Exposure to these chemicals could be injurious to our employees' well-being. Thai: การสัมผัสกับสารเคมีเหล่านี้อาจเป็นอันตรายต่อสุขภาพของพนักงานของเรา (gaan sam-pat gap san kha-mee lae-ner ee aaj bpen an-ta-rai tor sook-ga-pab khong pan-nak kong rao). Usage Context: Picture a Bangkok business meeting discussing workplace safety regulations. Thais value harmony in professional environments, so framing "injurious" this way shows empathy and foresight, helping to build trust. It's especially relevant in industries like manufacturing, where such terms prevent legal issues.

Practical Travel Phrase

English: Be careful; that food might be injurious if it's not fresh. Thai: ระวังนะ อาหารนั้นอาจเป็นอันตรายถ้าไม่สด (ra-wang na, ah-han nan aaj bpen an-ta-rai taa mai sot). Travel Tip: When exploring street food stalls in places like Chiang Mai, use this phrase to politely inquire about freshness without offending vendors. Thais appreciate cautious tourists, as it aligns with their "sanuk" (fun but safe) culture—always smile and add "khob khun" (thank you) to keep things friendly.

Related Expressions

Building your Thai vocabulary around "injurious" means exploring synonyms and common pairings. These are based on how Thais actually use language in daily life.

Synonyms/Related Terms:

• 有害 (yai-hai) - Use this for more scientific or environmental contexts, like discussing polluted air in Bangkok; it's slightly more formal and emphasizes long-term damage.
• ทำให้เสียหาย (tam hai sia-hai) - This is great for relational or emotional harm, such as in conflicts, and reflects Thailand's focus on maintaining "kreng jai" (consideration for others).

Common Collocations:

• เป็นอันตรายต่อสุขภาพ (bpen an-ta-rai tor sook-ga-pab) - Often used in health campaigns, like anti-smoking ads, to stress the dangers of habits; it's a staple in public service announcements across Thailand.
• อันตรายจากสิ่งแวดล้อม (an-ta-rai jaak sing waet-lom) - This collocation pops up in environmental talks, especially in rural areas where flooding or deforestation is a real threat, highlighting community resilience.

Cultural Notes

Thai Cultural Perspective: In Thailand, words like "เป็นอันตราย" are deeply intertwined with the country's Buddhist heritage, which promotes mindfulness to avoid harm and maintain balance. Historically, this stems from ancient texts and folktales warning against "dukkha" (suffering), so it's not just about physical injury but also emotional or spiritual ones. For example, in social customs, Thais might use it to describe "injurious" gossip in communities, tying into the value of "face" (saving dignity). Interestingly, in modern media, it's often featured in public health campaigns, like those during the COVID-19 era, blending traditional wisdom with contemporary issues.

Practical Advice: For foreigners, use "เป็นอันตราย" sparingly in conversations to avoid alarming people—Thais prefer indirect language to preserve harmony. If you're in a rural area, pair it with local examples (e.g., farm hazards) to show cultural sensitivity. A common misuse is overgeneralizing it in casual talk, which might come off as rude; instead, soften it with phrases like "pen yang-ngai" (is it okay?).

Practical Tips

Memory Aid: To remember "เป็นอันตราย," think of it as "in-jury" (from English) plus "antarai," which sounds like "anti-rai" (anti-danger). Visualize a red stop sign in a Thai market—that's a quick cultural connection to help with pronunciation and recall during travels.

Dialect Variations: While "เป็นอันตราย" is standard across Thailand, in the northern regions like Chiang Mai, you might hear a softer pronunciation, such as "bpen an-dta-rai" with a more nasal tone. In the Isan dialect (northeastern Thailand), it could be shortened or blended into local expressions, but the core meaning remains consistent, making it versatile for learners.

This entry provides a comprehensive, user-friendly guide to "injurious" in Thai, blending language learning with cultural immersion. For more English-Thai dictionary resources, explore terms like "harmful" or "dangerous" to expand your vocabulary effectively!