Culture and festivalsBell in Thai
“Bell” in Thai is ระฆังrá-kang; you'll also hear กระดิ่งgrà-dìng (small bell).
bell (a big temple bell) noun
- rá high
- kang mid
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
small bell; doorbell, bicycle bell noun
- grà low
- dìng low
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
How to use it
ระฆังrá-kang is a big bronze temple bell, struck with a wooden stick. Many temples, like Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, have long rows of bells, and visitors strike every one for luck. Small bells, กระดิ่งgrà-dìng, hang from temple roofs and chime in the wind; a doorbell or a bicycle bell is a กระดิ่งgrà-dìng too, or a กริ่งgrìng. Something that rings a bell is คุ้นkún, familiar.
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:
- rakhang
- krading
- kra ding
More culture and festivals in Thai
All culture and festivals- เพลงชาติ pleeng-châat National anthem
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones