Culture and festivalsheaven, paradise noun
- sà low
- wǎn 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?”
How to use it
สวรรค์sà-wǎn is low, then rising: the double r in the spelling is read an, and the last letter is silent. In Thai Buddhist belief, good deeds can lead to rebirth in one of the heavens and bad ones to a hell, นรกná-rók, and temple murals show both. In everyday talk it's just paradise: a beach, a buffet or a quiet day off is สวรรค์sà-wǎn, and a foodie's dream market is a สวรรค์ของคนชอบกินsà-wǎn kǎwng kon châwp gin.
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:
- sawun
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