Characteristic in Thai

“Characteristic” in Thai is ลักษณะlák-sà-nà.

ลักษณะ lák-sà-nà

characteristic, appearance; manner noun formal

lák high
sà low
nà low

High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.

How to use it

ลักษณะlák-sà-nà is what something or someone is like: appearance, features, nature. Police descriptions, job ads (ลักษณะงานlák-sà-nà ngaan, job description) and textbooks use it.

In conversation Thais say หน้าตาnâa-dtaa, looks, for a person, and แบบbàep, kind, style, for a thing: บ้านแบบไทยbâan bàep tai, a Thai-style house.

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:

luksana

More formal words in Thai

All formal words

การ gaan Kaan (prefix)
-ing, -tion: turns a verb into a noun (the act of …)
ความ kwaam Kwaam (prefix)
-ness (turns a verb or adjective into a noun)
ผู้ pûu Phu (prefix)
person (who …): makes words for people, like -er
นัก nák Nak (prefix)
-er, -ist: someone who does it (as a job or a passion)
ซึ่ง sûeng Who, which (formal)
which, who (adds information; formal, written)
เมื่อ mûea When (formal)
when, once (formal)

Learn Thai with the free course

A complete course from your first phrase to real conversations, with audio for every word and AI speaking practice. Free, no sign-up needed.

Start the free course

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