Describing things เห็นแก่ตัว hěn-gàe-dtua
selfish adjective
- hěn rising
- gàe low
- dtua mid
- Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
Parts: เห็นแก่hěn-gàe to think of, to put first ตัวdtua oneself
How to use it
เห็นแก่ตัวhěn-gàe-dtua, "putting yourself first", is one of the harsher criticisms in a culture that prizes เกรงใจgreeng-jai, thinking of others. Someone who always wants their own way is เอาแต่ใจao-dtàe-jai, spoiled, and someone who won't share is ขี้เหนียวkîi-nǐaw, stingy.
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:
- hen kae tua
- henkaetua
- hen kae tou
More describing things in Thai
All describing things
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