Main Translations

English: Racist

Thai Primary Translation: คนเหยียดเชื้อชาติ (khon yìad chûe châat)

Phonetic: khon yìad chûe châat (pronounced with a rising tone on "yìad" and a mid tone on "chûe," making it sound somewhat emphatic in casual speech)

Explanation: In Thai culture, "คนเหยียดเชื้อชาติ" directly refers to someone who discriminates based on race, ethnicity, or nationality. This term carries strong negative emotional connotations, evoking feelings of injustice and social harm, much like in English. However, Thai society often emphasizes harmony and "saving face," so accusations of racism might be expressed indirectly to avoid confrontation. For instance, Thai people may use euphemisms or discuss it in broader terms like social inequality rather than directly labeling someone. In daily life, this word appears in discussions about immigration, workplace diversity, or historical issues like discrimination against ethnic minorities (e.g., hill tribes or migrant workers from Myanmar). It's a word that highlights ongoing societal challenges, but it's used sparingly in polite conversation due to cultural sensitivities.

Secondary translations aren't typically needed for "racist," as "คนเหยียดเชื้อชาติ" is the standard term. However, in more formal or legal contexts, you might encounter "เหยียดเชื้อชาติ" alone, which functions as an adjective or noun for the concept of racism.

Usage Overview

In Thailand, "racist" or its equivalent is most commonly used in urban areas like Bangkok, where discussions about globalization and multiculturalism are more prevalent. For example, in bustling city life, people might reference it when talking about online hate speech or international relations. In contrast, rural areas like Chiang Mai or Isan regions may express similar ideas through local dialects or indirect phrases, focusing on community harmony rather than direct labels. Overall, this word is employed in educational, media, and activist settings to address discrimination, but it's less frequent in everyday chit-chat due to Thailand's collectivist culture, which prioritizes avoiding conflict.

Example Sentences

Below, we've selected three relevant scenarios to illustrate how "racist" is used in Thai. These examples are drawn from authentic contexts, helping you see the word in action without overwhelming you with too many options.

Everyday Conversation

English: I think that comment was really racist; it made me uncomfortable.

Thai: ฉันคิดว่าคำพูดนั้นเป็นการเหยียดเชื้อชาติมาก มันทำให้ฉันไม่สบายใจ (Chăn khîd wâa kham phûut nán bpen gaan yìad chûe châat mâak, man tham hai chăn mâi sà-bai jai)

Brief Notes: This sentence is perfect for casual talks among friends, like during a coffee chat in Bangkok. Note how the Thai version softens the accusation with "ฉันคิดว่า" (I think that), reflecting the cultural norm of indirectness to maintain politeness while still addressing the issue.

Business Context

English: We need to address racist behavior in the workplace to foster a more inclusive environment.

Thai: เราต้องจัดการกับพฤติกรรมเหยียดเชื้อชาติในที่ทำงานเพื่อสร้างสภาพแวดล้อมที่เท่าเทียมมากขึ้น (Rao dtông jà-kàan gàp phrùt-tí-gàp yìad chûe châat nai thî tam-ngaan pêu sàang sà-pâap waet-lòng thî tao thiam mak khûn)

Usage Context: Imagine a diversity training session in a Bangkok business meeting with international employees. This phrase is formal and proactive, emphasizing solutions over blame, which aligns with Thai workplace etiquette where harmony is key.

Practical Travel Phrase

English: As a tourist, I felt that was a racist remark and it spoiled my experience.

Thai: ในฐานะนักท่องเที่ยว ฉันรู้สึกว่าคำพูดนั้นเป็นการเหยียดเชื้อชาติและมันทำให้ประสบการณ์ของฉันเสีย (Nai thaa-ná nák thòng-thîao, chăn rûu sèuk wâa kham phûut nán bpen gaan yìad chûe châat láe man tham hai prasòp-kan thûng chăn sîa)

Travel Tip: Use this when dealing with uncomfortable situations in tourist spots like Phuket or Pattaya. If you encounter discrimination, it's wise to report it to hotel staff or authorities rather than confronting directly—Thais value calm resolutions, and this approach can help you "save face" while ensuring your safety.

Related Expressions

Synonyms/Related Terms:

• เลือกปฏิบัติ (lûek bpàt-dti) - This term means "discriminatory" and is used when discrimination isn't strictly about race, such as gender or age bias. It's handy in broader social discussions, like in HR meetings, to avoid sounding too accusatory.
• กีดกัน (gìt gàn) - Translating to "to exclude," this is related when talking about systemic barriers, such as in community events. In rural areas, it's often used to describe social exclusion based on ethnicity without directly invoking racism.

Common Collocations:

• คำพูดเหยียดเชื้อชาติ (khum phûut yìad chûe châat) - Example of actual usage in Thailand: In media debates, Thais might say, "คำพูดเหยียดเชื้อชาติเหล่านี้กำลังแพร่กระจายบนโซเชียลมีเดีย" (These racist remarks are spreading on social media), highlighting online toxicity.
• ทัศนคติเหยียดเชื้อชาติ (thàt-sà-ná khà-thi yìad chûe châat) - In everyday life, you could hear, "ทัศนคติเหยียดเชื้อชาติยังคงมีอยู่ในสังคมไทย" (Racist attitudes still exist in Thai society), often in educational or activist contexts to spark awareness.

Cultural Notes

Thai Cultural Perspective: In Thailand, the concept of racism is intertwined with the country's history of ethnic diversity and immigration. For instance, while Thailand prides itself on being a "melting pot" with influences from Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian cultures, issues like discrimination against darker-skinned individuals or migrant workers from neighboring countries are sensitive topics. Historically, this stems from colonial influences and internal social hierarchies. Interestingly, Thai media often portrays racism through humor or satire in shows and songs, like in popular films addressing urban-rural divides, to critique without direct confrontation. From a local viewpoint, it's less about individual blame and more about collective harmony, so words like "racist" are used to educate rather than attack.

Practical Advice: For foreigners, it's crucial to use this term thoughtfully—Thais might appreciate your awareness but could react defensively if it feels like an outright accusation. Always pair it with empathy, such as saying, "I understand this is sensitive, but..." to align with the cultural value of "kreng jai" (consideration for others). Avoid misuses in casual settings, as it could escalate tensions; instead, opt for neutral phrases if you're unsure.

Practical Tips

Memory Aid: To remember "คนเหยียดเชื้อชาติ," think of it as "a person who 'yìad' (discriminates) based on 'chûe châat' (race)." Visualize a stop sign (for discrimination) next to a world map to connect the idea of global races. This visual association can make the pronunciation stick, especially since "yìad" sounds a bit like "yell," evoking conflict.

Dialect Variations: Thai is relatively standardized due to media and education, but in southern regions like Phuket, you might hear a softer pronunciation of "yìad" with a more drawn-out vowel, influenced by local accents. In the north, such as Chiang Mai, people may use similar terms but with a quicker pace, so listen for context rather than exact sounds to avoid confusion.

In summary, this entry on "racist" equips you with the tools to use the word respectfully in Thailand, blending language learning with cultural insights. For more English-Thai resources, explore terms like "discrimination" or "equality" to deepen your understanding. Safe travels and happy learning!