AnimalsMonitor lizard in Thai
“Monitor lizard” in Thai is politely ตัวเงินตัวทองdtua-ngoen-dtua-tawng; the animal's plain name, เหี้ยhîa, is also one of the strongest Thai swear words.
monitor lizard (polite) noun
- dtua mid
- ngoen mid
- dtua mid
- tawng mid
- Mid: level, in your normal speaking voice.
Classifier: ตัวdtua · counting word for animals, clothes, tables and chairs
water monitor; (vulgar) a strong swear word noun rude
- hîa falling
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
How to use it
The water monitors of Bangkok's parks and canals, often longer than a metre, are among the first animals visitors notice: Lumphini Park alone has hundreds. Their real name, เหี้ยhîa, is also one of the strongest Thai swear words, so polite speakers call them ตัวเงินตัวทองdtua-ngoen-dtua-tawng, "the silver and gold creature". Learn to recognise เหี้ยhîa, but don't use it.
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:
- tua ngoen tua thong
- tua ngern tua tong
- tuangoentuathong
- hiaa
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