AnimalsGecko in Thai
“Gecko” in Thai is จิ้งจกjîng-jòk; you'll also hear ตุ๊กแกdtúk-gae (big gecko).
house gecko, house lizard noun small house gecko
- jîng falling
- jòk low
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
Classifier: ตัวdtua · counting word for animals, clothes, tables and chairs
tokay gecko (the big, loud one) noun
- dtúk high
- gae mid
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
How to use it
Every Thai home has จิ้งจกjîng-jòk, the small, pale geckos that run along the walls and ceilings at night, chirp and eat mosquitoes: harmless and welcome. The ตุ๊กแกdtúk-gae is much bigger, blue-grey with orange spots, and named after its loud call, repeated several times in the night. It bites hard if you grab it, but it won't come after you.
Many Thais believe a gecko chirping just as you leave the house is a warning: wait a moment before you go.
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:
- ching chok
- jing jork
- tukkae
- tukae
- took gae
- tookae
- tuk kae
More animals in Thai
All animals
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones