Vocabulary For Thai Boxing (Muay Thai)

It is impossible to give the correct pronunciation of Thai words by using the Roman alphabet without auxiliary signs. However, by observing the following pronunciation guide, the words will be understood if used in context.


Pronounce"a"like the "u" in cup

aa a spa
ae a man
ai i fight
aw aw law
e e set
eh ea bear
i i fit
ee ee feet
o oa board
u u put
oo oo food
ue ui French
is a consonant
dt somewhat between
a "d" and "t".

Muay Thai Terminology

• Aenken :Anklet, protecting instep and shin
• Andap :Ratings
• Baak :Mouth
• Bangkok :Capital of Thailand
• Bat :Block
• Chaikrong :Floating ribs
• Champ :Champion
• Chiang Mai :Provincial capital in the North. Seond largest city in Thailand
• Chok :Fight
• Choraked faad haang :Turn kick, literally 'crocodile thrashes its tail'
• Dadsin :To judge, to decide
• Daihuachai: Region under the heart, a vital point.
• Dermpan : A form of betting.
• Dontree Muay: The music played during a match
• Dtaa : Eyes
• Dtaai : To die
• Dtae : To kick
• Dtae Kao : Knee kick
• Dtae Tao : Kick with foot
• Dtae Wiang: Round kick
• Dtai : Kidneys, a vital point.
• Dtai Kao : Knee kick from side
• Dtee : To hit
• Dtee Mat : To hit with the fist
• Dtee Sawk: To hit with the elbow
• Dtoi : To box, boxing
• Dtoi Lom : Shadow boxing, literally to box with the wind or air.
• Faad : To thrash, wipe, swipe
• Faidaeng : The red corner
• Fainamnerng: The blue corner
• Gamagan : Referee
• Gaan Dadsin: Judging
• Gangkeng Muay: Boxer's trunks
• Gawn Welaa: Literally before time. "Gawn welaa" bouts, reserved for novices, are held before the program starts.
• Grajab : Groin guard
• Grammon Srisa: Top of head, a vital point
• Grasawb : Bag, punching bag
• Hua : Head
• Huajai : Heart
• Hook : Hook, word borrowed from English.
• Jad : Promote
• Jamook : Nose
• Kaa : Leg
• Kaen : Arm
• Kai : Camp
• Kai Muay : Boxing camp
• Kagangai : Jawbone, a vital point
• Kamab : Temples, vital points.
• Kao : Knee
• Kao Kong : Over-arm knee kick
• Kao Loy : Jumping knee kick
• Kao Drong : Frontal knee kick
• Khuen Kroo : The ceremony during which a teacher accepts a new student.
• Koo Ek : Main bout on a card, literally the "number one pair".
• Kradot : Jump
• Dradot Dtae: Jump kick
• Druang Rang: Bands worn around biceps
• Kroo Muay: Boxing teacher
• Kwaa: Right, to the right
• Lang Tao: Instep
• Limpee: Solar Plexus, a vital point
• Mat: Fist
• Mat At: Uppercut
• Mat Drong: Straight punch
• Mao Mat: "Punch drunk"
• Mongkon: The headband worn during pre-fight ceremony
• Muay Acheep: Professional boxing
• Muay Thai: Thai-style boxing
• Muay Sakon: International-style boxing
• Na Kaeng: Shin
• Nak Muay: Boer
• Namnak: Weight
• Na Paang: Forehead
• Nuam: Gloves
• Pang-nga: To dodge, evade
• Paa Pan Mue: Bandages worn under gloves
• Pee Liang: Seconds
• Raigaan Muay: Boxing program
• Ram Muay: Boxing dance, part of the pre-fight ritual
• Run: Weight category
• Saai: Left, to the left
• Sanam Muay: Boxing stadium
• Sawing: Swing, the word comes from the English "swing"
• Sawk: Elbow
• Sangwien :Ring Ropes
• Sawk Chieng :Diagonal Elbow
• Sawk Hug: Levering Elbow
• Sawk Klab: Reverse Elbow
• Sawk Ku :Double Elbow
• Sawk Sob :Chopping Elbow
• Sawk Tad: Jab Elbow
• Sawk Tong :Smashing Down Elbow
• Taitai: Nap, a vital point
• Tao : Foot
• Teep: Push or thrust with the underside of the foot
• Teep Dan Lang: Foot thrust to the rear
• Teep Duen Son: Heel push
• Teep Drong: Straight forward foot push
• Ting: Throw
• Tong: Stomach
• Tong Noi: Lower stomach, a vital point
• Uppercut: Uppercut, borrowed from English
• Wai Kroo: Obeisance to the teacher, part of the pre-fight ritual.
• Wehtee: The ring, a stage
• Wong: Band
• Wong Muay: The orchestra that plays during matches
• Yaeb: Jab, borrowed from English
• Yaek: Break, used by referee in the ring to separate fighters.
• Yang gan fan: Mouth guard
• Yang Sam Kung: Three step dance, part of the Ram Muay
• Yok: Round
• Yud: Stop, used by referee