Strong-willed in Thai

“Strong-willed” in Thai is ใจแข็งjai-kǎeng.

ใจแข็ง jai-kǎeng

strong-willed, firm; hard-hearted adjective

jai mid
kǎeng rising

Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”

Parts: ใจjai heart, mind แข็งkǎeng hard, firm

How to use it

ใจแข็งjai-kǎeng, "hard heart", is the willpower to say no: to dessert, to a sale, to an ex calling at midnight. Said of someone who isn't moved by tears or pleading, it means hard-hearted. The opposite is ใจอ่อนjai-àwn, "soft heart", someone who gives in easily.

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:

jai khaeng
chai khaeng

More everyday expressions in Thai

All everyday expressions

สวัสดี sà-wàt-dii Hello
ยินดีต้อนรับ yin-dii dtâwn-ráp Welcome
ขอบคุณ kàwp-kun Thank you
ขอโทษ kǎw-tôot Sorry
ไม่เป็นไร mâi bpen rai Never mind
it's okay
ใช่ châi Yes

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