English-Thai Dictionary: Truism

In this English-Thai dictionary entry, we'll explore the word "truism," a term often encountered in discussions about obvious truths or commonplace statements. Whether you're learning Thai for travel, business, or daily conversation, understanding "truism" can help you navigate nuanced expressions in Thai culture.

Main Translations

English: Truism

Thai Primary Translation: ความจริงที่ชัดเจน (kwam jing thi chad jen)

Phonetic: kwam-jing-thee-chàd-jen

Explanation: In Thai, "ความจริงที่ชัดเจน" refers to a statement that is self-evidently true, often lacking novelty or depth. This word carries a neutral to slightly dismissive connotation in everyday Thai culture, where it's associated with wisdom that's so obvious it might feel redundant. For instance, Thai people frequently use it in conversations to highlight common sense, drawing from cultural values like "sanuk" (fun and lightheartedness) or Buddhist principles that emphasize straightforward truths. In daily life, you might hear it in casual chats or educational settings, evoking a sense of shared knowledge rather than excitement—think of it as a gentle nod to what's already known, which can sometimes come across as polite deflection in social interactions. If you're in Thailand, locals might use this to wrap up a discussion without delving deeper, reflecting the cultural emphasis on harmony and avoiding confrontation.

[Secondary translations are not applicable here, as "truism" is best captured by this primary phrase in standard Thai. However, in more formal or philosophical contexts, it could overlap with "ข้อเท็จจริงที่เป็นที่ยอมรับ" (aod ted jing thi pen thi yom rub), meaning an accepted fact.]

Usage Overview

In Thailand, "truism" and its translations are commonly used in educational, professional, and casual settings to state obvious facts without adding new insights. For example, in bustling urban areas like Bangkok, people might employ it in debates or meetings to quickly acknowledge a point and move on, aligning with the fast-paced city life. In contrast, in rural regions like Chiang Mai, truisms often tie into traditional folklore or community wisdom, where they might be expressed through proverbs during village gatherings. This highlights a broader cultural tendency to value practicality over innovation, with urban users favoring concise language and rural ones weaving it into storytelling for emphasis.

Example Sentences

Here are a few practical examples of "truism" in context, selected based on its relevance to everyday Thai life. We've focused on scenarios that showcase natural usage, including conversational and professional settings.

Everyday Conversation

English: It's a truism that hard work leads to success, but sometimes luck plays a role too.

Thai: เป็นความจริงที่ชัดเจนว่าการทำงานหนักนำไปสู่ความสำเร็จ แต่บางครั้งโชคก็มีส่วน (Pen kwam jing thi chad jen waa gaan tam ngan nak num pai su kwam sam ret tae bang khrang chok gaw mee suan).

Brief Notes: This sentence works well in casual chats, like over street food in Bangkok, where Thais might use it to balance optimism with realism. It's a great way to keep the conversation light and relatable, reflecting the Thai value of "mai pen rai" (never mind), which encourages not overthinking obvious truths.

Business Context

English: In marketing, it's a truism that understanding your audience is key to any campaign.

Thai: ในด้านการตลาด เป็นความจริงที่ชัดเจนว่าการเข้าใจกลุ่มเป้าหมายเป็นสิ่งสำคัญต่อแคมเปญใดๆ (Nai dan gaan talad, pen kwam jing thi chad jen waa gaan kaojit klum pao maai pen sing sum kan tor khaem paen dai-ng).

Usage Context: You'd hear this in a Bangkok business meeting, perhaps during a strategy session at a company like a tech firm. It underscores Thailand's business culture, where efficiency and consensus are prized, helping to build rapport without challenging ideas head-on.

Literary or Media Reference

English: The novel uses truisms to critique society, like saying "money can't buy happiness."

Thai: นวนิยายเรื่องนี้ใช้ความจริงที่ชัดเจนในการวิจารณ์สังคม เช่น การพูดว่า "เงินซื้อความสุขไม่ได้" (Nawniyay reuang ni chai kwam jing thi chad jen nai gaan wicha rhen sangkhom, cheu gaan phut waa "ngern su khwam suk mai dai").

Source: Inspired by Thai literature, such as works by authors like Sidaoruang, where truisms appear in social commentaries. In Thai media, this phrase often pops up in TV dramas or news discussions, evoking a sense of cultural reflection on materialism versus inner peace.

Related Expressions

Synonyms/Related Terms:

• Cliché (คำพูดเชย – kwam phut choy): Use this when something feels overused but still true, like in casual storytelling to add humor without offending, which is common in Thai social settings.
• Platitude (ความจริงพื้นฐาน – kwam jing phuen than): This is handy for basic truths in advice-giving, such as in family talks, where Thais might draw from cultural norms to keep conversations harmonious.

Common Collocations:

• "It's a truism that..." (เป็นความจริงที่ชัดเจนว่า...): Often used in Thailand to start a sentence in debates or lessons, like in a classroom where a teacher might say it to reinforce obvious points and encourage student participation.
• "Obvious truism" (ความจริงที่ชัดเจนอย่างชัดแจ้ง): You'll hear this in media critiques, such as on Thai TV shows discussing politics, to point out statements that are too straightforward to be useful.

Cultural Notes

Thai Cultural Perspective: In Thailand, truisms like "ความจริงที่ชัดเจน" are deeply intertwined with the country's emphasis on "kreng jai" (consideration for others) and Buddhist teachings, which promote mindfulness and acceptance of life's evident realities. Historically, they echo ancient proverbs from Thai folklore, such as those in the "Tamra Phra Ruang" texts, where obvious truths serve as moral guides. Socially, they're used to maintain face and avoid conflict, making them a staple in everything from family dinners to national holidays like Songkran, where shared wisdom fosters community bonds. Interestingly, in modern Thai society, overusing truisms can signal a lack of creativity, so they're balanced with wit in urban pop culture.

Practical Advice: For foreigners, use "ความจริงที่ชัดเจน" sparingly to show respect and avoid sounding dismissive—Thais appreciate humility. If you're in a group setting, pair it with a question to invite discussion, like "Is that a truism here?" to align with the cultural norm of "sabai" (comfort). Watch out for misuses, such as in sensitive topics like politics, where stating the obvious might unintentionally highlight divisions.

Practical Tips

Memory Aid: To remember "kwam jing thi chad jen," think of it as "true thing that's clear"—visualize a bright Thai temple (wat) where obvious truths are shared during meditation. This cultural link can help with pronunciation, as the word flows like a gentle conversation, emphasizing the soft "j" sound.

Dialect Variations: Thai is relatively standardized due to central influences, but in southern regions like Phuket, you might hear a softer pronunciation, such as "kwam jing thi chàd-jen" with a more drawn-out vowel. In the north, like Chiang Mai, it's similar but could be quicker in informal speech, so listen for local accents when traveling.

This English-Thai dictionary entry for "truism" equips you with tools for authentic communication in Thailand. For more words, explore our site for SEO-friendly language resources tailored to learners and travelers!