Describing thingsSerious in Thai
“Serious” in Thai is จริงจังjing-jang; you'll also hear ซีเรียสsii-rîat (worked up).
serious, earnest adjective
- jing mid
- jang mid
- Mid: level, in your normal speaking voice.
serious; worked up, upset (from English) adjective
- sii mid
- rîat falling
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
How to use it
จริงจังjing-jang, "really real", is being earnest and committed: a serious student, a serious relationship. The English loanword ซีเรียสsii-rîat is more about mood, getting worked up or upset, and Thais use it to lighten things: ไม่ต้องซีเรียสmâi dtâwng sii-rîat, don't take it so hard. A serious illness or problem is หนักnàk, heavy.
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 chang
- see riat
- si riat
More describing things in Thai
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones