Body and healthAntibiotics in Thai
“Antibiotics” in Thai is ยาฆ่าเชื้อyaa-kâa-chúea; you'll also hear ยาปฏิชีวนะyaa-bpà-dtì-chii-wá-ná (formal).
antibiotics noun everyday
- yaa mid
- kâa falling
- chúea high
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
antibiotics (formal, on labels) noun
- yaa mid
- bpà low
- dtì low
- chii mid
- wá high
- ná high
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
How to use it
Thais call antibiotics ยาฆ่าเชื้อyaa-kâa-chúea, "germ-killing medicine"; doctors and labels say ยาปฏิชีวนะyaa-bpà-dtì-chii-wá-ná. You'll also hear people ask for ยาแก้อักเสบyaa gâe àk-sèep, "anti-inflammatory medicine", when they mean antibiotics, though they are different medicines: if you're not sure what you've been given, ask the pharmacist.
Other spellings you'll see
There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:
- ya kha chuea
- ya ka chua
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones