elephant noun
- cháang high
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
Classifier: ตัวdtua · counting word for animals, clothes, tables and chairs
Thailand's national animal; Thai Elephant Day is 13 March.
You'll hear it in Chang Chang Chang (ช้าง ช้าง ช้าง).
How to use it
ช้างcháang is Thailand's national animal: you'll see elephants on temple walls, on the old Siamese flag and on beer labels (Chang beer is "elephant beer"). Say it high and long. A baby elephant is ลูกช้างlûuk-cháang, and 13 March is Thai Elephant Day.
In everyday speech elephants are counted with ตัวdtua like other animals; formal Thai uses เชือกchûeak, "rope".
Don't mix it up
-
ช่างchâang
mechanic, craftsman
Falling instead of high: a mechanic, as in a motorbike repair shop.
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:
- chang
- xang
- chahng
More animals in Thai
All animals
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.
Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones