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Body and health

Shoulder in Thai

“Shoulder” in Thai is ไหล่lài; you'll also hear บ่าbàa (top of the shoulder).

ไหล่ lài

shoulder noun

  • lài low
  • Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
บ่า bàa

shoulder (the top, where a bag rests) noun top of the shoulder

  • bàa low
  • Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.

How to use it

ไหล่lài is the shoulder, short with a low tone. The top of the shoulder, where a bag strap rests, is บ่าbàa, and stiff necks and shoulders from desk work are so common that massage menus list them together: คอบ่าไหล่kaw bàa lài, neck, upper shoulders and shoulders.

Temples ask visitors to cover their shoulders, so carry a shirt with sleeves: see temple etiquette.

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:

  • lhai
  • ba
  • bah

More body and health in Thai

All body and health
  • หัว hǔa Head
  • ปวด bpùat Hurt

    to ache, to hurt (a deep, dull pain)

  • ท้อง táwng Stomach

    stomach, belly

  • จมูก jà-mùuk Nose
  • เลือด lûeat Blood
  • ไม่สบาย mâi sà-baai Sick

    sick, unwell

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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones