Main Translations

In English, "remiss" refers to being negligent, careless, or failing to fulfill a duty. It's often used to describe someone who overlooks responsibilities, which can carry a tone of mild criticism or self-reflection.

Thai Primary Translation: ประมาท (pramaat) Phonetic: prah-maht (The "r" is soft, similar to a gentle "l" in some accents, and the emphasis is on the second syllable.)

Explanation: In Thai culture, "ประมาท" isn't just a word for carelessness—it's deeply tied to everyday life and Buddhist principles. For instance, Thai people often use it to warn against overconfidence or negligence that could lead to misfortune, echoing the idea from Buddhist teachings that "pramaat" can result in negative karma or "dukkha" (suffering). Emotionally, it evokes a sense of regret or caution rather than outright blame, making it common in daily conversations to gently remind someone of their oversight. In urban settings like Bangkok, it's used in professional or formal contexts, while in rural areas, such as Isaan or the North, it might relate to practical matters like farming or community duties, where being remiss could mean lost crops or social discord. This word highlights Thailand's collectivist culture, where individual actions affect the group, so it's often paired with advice to "be mindful" for harmony.

Secondary Translations: If a more formal or legal context is needed, you might use "ละเลย" (la-loei), which emphasizes neglect or abandonment, but it's less common for everyday use than "pramaat".

Usage Overview

In Thailand, "remiss" (translated as "pramaat") typically appears in scenarios involving personal responsibility, work ethics, or social obligations. It's a word that underscores the Thai value of "kreng jai" (consideration for others), where failing to act can disrupt relationships. In bustling Bangkok, people might use it in fast-paced business or urban life to point out oversights, like missing a deadline. In contrast, in more laid-back rural areas like Chiang Mai, it could describe someone being careless with traditional tasks, such as forgetting a community festival preparation. Overall, urban dwellers tend to express it more directly in formal language, while rural communities might soften it with humor or proverbs to maintain harmony.

Example Sentences

Here are a few practical examples of "remiss" in action, tailored to real-life Thai contexts. We've selected three scenarios to keep it focused: everyday conversation, business settings, and a practical travel phrase, as these best capture the word's nuances.

Everyday Conversation

English: "I was remiss in not calling you earlier—I'm sorry for the delay." Thai: ฉันประมาทที่ไม่โทรหาคุณก่อน—ขอโทษที่ล่าช้า (Chăn pramaat thîi mâi thror hăa khun gòn—khǎaw thôot thîi lá-cháa) Brief Notes: This sentence is perfect for casual apologies in Thailand, where admitting fault helps preserve "face" and relationships. In daily life, Thais might say this over a meal or chat, adding a smile to lighten the mood, as being too direct can feel confrontational.

Business Context

English: "The team was remiss in reviewing the contract, which led to some errors." Thai: ทีมงานประมาทที่ไม่ตรวจสอบสัญญา ทำให้เกิดข้อผิดพลาด (Thîm-ngaan pramaat thîi mâi trùt-sàp sǎ-nyaa tham hai gèrt khàwp phàt) Usage Context: In a Bangkok business meeting, this could come up during a review session, where pointing out negligence is done tactfully to avoid embarrassment. Thai professionals often follow with suggestions for improvement, reflecting the cultural emphasis on collaboration over blame.

Practical Travel Phrase

English: "Don't be remiss with your passport in crowded markets—it's easy to lose things here." Thai: อย่าประมาทกับหนังสือเดินทางในตลาดที่แออัด—มันง่ายที่จะทำหาย (Yàa pramaat gùp nǎng-seǔu deern thaang nai dtà-là̀t thîi à-àt—man ngiap thîi jà tham hǎy) Travel Tip: When exploring places like Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, use this phrase to remind yourself or a companion to stay vigilant. Thais appreciate foreigners who show awareness of local risks, so pairing it with a polite smile can help you blend in and build rapport with vendors.

Related Expressions

Synonyms/Related Terms:

• ละเลย (la-loei) - Use this when emphasizing complete neglect, like skipping a task entirely; it's common in legal or parental contexts, where "pramaat" might feel too mild.
• ไม่รอบคอบ (mâi róp khob) - This means "not careful" and is great for situations involving attention to detail, such as driving or handling finances, often evoking a sense of precaution in Thai daily life.

Common Collocations:

• ประมาทเลินเล่อ (pramaat loei-loei) - Meaning "extremely remiss" or carelessly overconfident; you'd hear this in Thailand when warning someone about risks, like in a folktale about a farmer who lost his harvest due to haste.
• ประมาทต่อหน้าที่ (pramaat dtàw nâa thîi) - Translates to "remiss in duties"; this is often used in workplaces or community settings, such as a village leader reminding members not to overlook shared responsibilities.

Cultural Notes

Thai Cultural Perspective: The concept of "pramaat" is rooted in Thailand's Buddhist heritage, where carelessness is seen as a barrier to mindfulness and balance. Historically, it appears in ancient texts like the Tipitaka, warning that negligence can lead to personal and communal downfall—think of Thai folktales where characters face consequences for being remiss. Socially, it's tied to "sanuk" (fun) culture, where Thais balance enjoyment with responsibility; being remiss might disrupt the harmonious "mai pen rai" (never mind) attitude. Interestingly, in modern media, like Thai dramas, it's often portrayed in storylines about family duties, reinforcing the idea that oversight can strain relationships. Practical Advice: For foreigners, use "pramaat" sparingly and with empathy—Thais value indirect communication to save face, so frame it as a learning opportunity rather than criticism. Avoid it in formal settings unless you're fluent, as misusing it could come across as rude. Instead, pair it with phrases like "khǎaw thôot" (sorry) to show respect.

Practical Tips

Memory Aid: To remember "remiss" and its Thai counterpart "pramaat", think of it as "problem at"—like a problem arising from missing something important. Visualize a Thai market scene where carelessness leads to losing your wallet, tying it to real-life scenarios for better retention. Dialect Variations: While "pramaat" is standard across Thailand, in the Northern dialects (like in Chiang Mai), it might be pronounced more softly as "bra-maat" with a lighter "p" sound. In the Southern regions, the emphasis could shift slightly, but it's generally consistent, making it easy for learners to use nationwide. If you're traveling, listen to locals and mimic their tone for a more natural feel.