Pain and body

Pain and body

เจ็บตรงนี้ครับ/ค่ะ
[ jep trong nii khrap/kha ]

It hurts right here

ปวดหลังครับ/ค่ะ
[ puat lang khrap/kha ]

My back hurts

ปวดขาครับ/ค่ะ
[ puat khaa khrap/kha ]

My legs ache

ปวดเท้าครับ/ค่ะ
[ puat thao khrap/kha ]

My feet hurt

ปวดฟันครับ/ค่ะ
[ puat fan khrap/kha ]

My tooth hurts

เจ็บตาครับ/ค่ะ
[ jep taa khrap/kha ]

My eyes hurt

ปวดกล้ามเนื้อครับ/ค่ะ
[ puat klaam-nuea khrap/kha ]

My muscles ache

กดแล้วเจ็บไหมครับ/ค่ะ
[ kot laew jep mai khrap/kha ]

Does it hurt when pressed?

ปวดตลอดเวลาครับ/ค่ะ
[ puat ta-lot we-laa khrap/kha ]

It hurts constantly

ข้อเท้าพลิกครับ/ค่ะ
[ kho-thao phlik khrap/kha ]

I twisted my ankle

มีดบาดนิ้วครับ/ค่ะ
[ miit baat niu khrap/kha ]

I cut my finger

โดนน้ำร้อนลวกครับ/ค่ะ
[ don nam-ron luak khrap/kha ]

I burned myself (with hot water)

มันบวมมากครับ/ค่ะ
[ man buam maak khrap/kha ]

It is very swollen

เลือดออกครับ/ค่ะ
[ lueat ok khrap/kha ]

It's bleeding

ปวดหูครับ/ค่ะ
[ puat huu khrap/kha ]

My ear hurts

Cultural notes

Describing pain in the Thai language is fascinating because it forces you to categorize the exact nature of the sensation. In English, you might use the word 'hurt' or 'ache' interchangeably for many things, but Thai specifically divides physical suffering into two distinct verbs: ปวด (puat) and เจ็บ (chep). Understanding the difference between these two is critical when explaining your condition to a doctor or pharmacist. The word ปวด (puat) is used for a dull, throbbing, internal ache. It is the word you use for internal organs, muscles, and bones. Therefore, you say ปวดหัว (puat hua) for a headache, ปวดท้อง (puat thong) for a stomachache, or ปวดกล้ามเนื้อ (puat klam-nuea) for muscle aches after a long trek. On the other hand, เจ็บ (chep) describes a sharp, piercing, or surface-level pain. You use 'chep' for cuts, scratches, a sore throat, or when someone presses on a bruise. For example, a sore throat is เจ็บคอ (chep kho), and if you get a cut on your finger, you say เจ็บ (chep). If a doctor presses your stomach and asks if it hurts, they will ask กดแล้วเจ็บไหม (kot laeo chep mai - "Does it hurt when pressed?"). From a cultural perspective, when indicating a body part to a medical professional, remember the traditional Thai hierarchy of the body. The head is considered the most sacred, highest part of the body, while the feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest. In daily life, pointing at things with your feet is highly offensive. However, in a medical context, it is perfectly acceptable to point to your foot and say ปวดเท้า (puat thao - "My foot aches"). Mastering the distinction between 'puat' (internal ache) and 'chep' (sharp pain) ensures you receive the correct diagnosis and treatment quickly.