Nature and weatherWilt in Thai
“Wilt” in Thai is เหี่ยวhìaw; you'll also hear เฉาchǎo (droop [heat, no water]).
wilted, withered; wrinkled adjective
- hìaw low
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
to wilt, to droop verb droop (heat, no water)
- chǎo rising
- Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
เหี่ยวเฉาhìaw-chǎo = wilted, withered; also said of a sad, tired face.
You'll hear เฉาchǎo in Dok Krachiao Ban (ดอกกระเจียวบาน).
How to use it
เหี่ยวhìaw is wilted or withered: cut flowers after a few days, limp vegetables at the end of the market, and skin that has lost its firmness, wrinkled. เฉาchǎo is drooping for lack of water or from the heat, said of plants and of tired, listless faces, and the two together, เหี่ยวเฉาhìaw-chǎo, mean withered. A flower that opens บานbaan, blooms.
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:
- hiao
- hieow
More nature and weather in Thai
All nature and weather- เกาะ gàw Island in Thai
- ชายหาด chaai-hàat Beach in Thai
- ทะเล tá-lee Sea in Thai
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones