Buddhism in Thai

“Buddhism” in Thai is ศาสนาพุทธsàat-sà-nǎa pút; you'll also hear ศาสนาsàat-sà-nǎa (religion) and ชาวพุทธchaao-pút (a Buddhist).

ศาสนาพุทธ sàat-sà-nǎa pút

Buddhism noun

  • sàat low
  • sà low
  • nǎa rising
  • pút high
  • Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
  • Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
Parts: ศาสนาsàat-sà-nǎa religion พุทธpút Buddha, Buddhist

ศาสนา sàat-sà-nǎa

religion noun

  • sàat low
  • sà low
  • nǎa rising
  • Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
  • Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”

ชาวพุทธ chaao-pút

Buddhist (a person) noun

  • chaao mid
  • pút high
  • High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.

How to use it

Most Thais are Theravada Buddhists, and Buddhism runs through daily life: monks on the morning alms round, merit-making, temple fairs and holy days. "Buddhism" is ศาสนาพุทธsàat-sà-nǎa pút in speech and พุทธศาสนาpút-tá-sàat-sà-nǎa in writing, and a Buddhist is a ชาวพุทธchaao-pút. Thailand is also home to Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Sikh communities. To ask about religion, use นับถือnáp-tǔue, to follow, to hold in respect.

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:

  • satsana phut
  • sat sa na put
  • phutthasatsana
  • sasana

Read more

More culture and festivals in Thai

All culture and festivals
  • สงกรานต์ sǒng-graan Songkran

    Songkran, the Thai New Year (13-15 April)

  • ลอยกระทง lawy grà-tong Loy Krathong

    to float a krathong

  • ฮ่าๆ hâa-hâa 555

    haha (typed 555 in chats: five is hâa)

  • ไหว้ wâai Wai

    to wai (greet with palms together)

  • เพลงชาติ pleeng-châat National anthem
  • สำนวน sǎm-nuan Proverb

    idiom, saying

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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones