MUAY THAI COMMON TERMINOLOGY

Muay Thai Common Terminology – by Kru Snake Blocker

Although it is not necessary to speak any Thai to fight Muay Thai, it’s good to get familiar with Thai traditions and basic Muay Thai words and phrases.  Remember, knowing basic words could help you, if your opponent’s corner is telling your opponent which strike or combos to throw at you in Thai.

Listed below are some common words and phrases you will hear at a Thai fight:

Thai Terminology 1 – Numbers 1-10 (for reference only)

Nueng = 1                               Sorng = 2

Sarm = 3                                  Se-e = 4

Ha = 5                                     Hok = 6

Ched = 7                                 Paed = 8

Kao = 9                                   Sib = 10

           

Thai Terminology 2 – Major Targets/Body Parts (for reference only)

            Baak = Mouth (major target)

            Chaikrong = Floating Ribs (major target)

            Daihuachai = Vital area under the Heart

Dtaa = Eyes

Dtai = Kidneys

Grammon Srisa = Top of Skull

Hua = Head

Huajai = Heart

Jamook = Nose

            Kaa = Leg

Kaen = Arm

Kagangai = Jawbone (major head target)

Kamab = Temple (major head target)

Kao = Knee    

Lang Tao = Instep

            Limpee = Solar Plexus

Mat = Fist

            Na Kaeng = Shin

            Na Paang = Forehead

            Sawk = Elbow

            Tai-Tai = A Vital Target

Tao = Foot

            Tong = Abdominal     

Tong Noi = Lower Abdominal

Thai Terminology 3 – Hitting/Striking/Blocking Action (for reference only)

            Bat = Block

Choraked Faad Haang = Crocodile Trashes its Tail (Wiping/Swiping Kick)

Chok = Fight

Dtae = To Kick

            Dtae Kao = Knee Kick

            Dtae Tao = Kick with the Feet

            Dtae Wiang = [Side] Round Kick

            Dtai Kao = Side Knee Kick

Dtee = To Hit/Strike

            Dtee Mat = To Hit/Strike with the Feet

            Dtee Sawk = To Hit/Strike with the Elbow

Dtoi = To Box (Boxing)

Dtoi Lom = Shadow Boxing [Demon Fighting]/Fighting with the Wind

Faad = To Thrash/Wipe/Swipe

Kao Drong = Frontal Knee Kick

Kao Kong = Over-Arm Knee Kick

Kao Loy = Jumping Knee Kick

Mao Mat = Punch Drunk/Sloppy Punches

Mat At = Upper-Cut

Mat Drong = Straight Punch

Pang-nga = To Dodge/Evade

Sawk Chieng = Diagonal Elbow

Sawk Hug = Levering Elbow

Sawk Klab = Reverse Elbow

Sawk Ku = Double Elbow

Sawk Sab = Chopping Elbow

Sawk Tad = Jab Elbow

Sawk Tong = Smashing Down Elbow

Teep = Push/Thrust Kick (using the bottom [flat] of the foot)

Teep Dan Lang = Push/Thrust Kick to the Rear

Teep Duen Son = Heel Push/Thrust Kick

Teep Drong = Straight/Frontal Push/Thrust Kick

Ting = Throw

Thai Terminology 4 – Common Words/Phrases (for reference only)

            Andap = Ratings (Fighter’s Rating)

Aenken = Anklet [protector] (which protects the instep & shin)

Aroon Sa Wadee = Good Morning 

Bangkok = Capital of Thailand

Champ = Champion

Chan Mai Khao Chai = I Don’t Understand

Chan Shue… = My Name is…

Chiang Mai = Thai Provincial Capital (2^nd Largest City in Northern Thailand)

Dadsin = To Judge, to Decide

Dermpan = A form of Betting

Dontree Muay = The Thai music played during a fight

Druang Rang = Armband worn around the Fighter’s biceps

Dtaai = To die

Faidaeng = The Red Corner

Fainamnerng = The Blue Corner

Gamagan = Referee

Gaan Dadsin = Judging

Gangkeng Muay = Boxer’s Trunks

Gawn Welaa = Before Time (Novice fights held before the main fights/program)

Grajab = Groin Guard

Grasawg = Bag/Punching Bag

Jad = Promote

Kai = Camp

Kai Muay = Boxing Camp

Khob Chai Mark = Thank you very much

Knob Ton Rub Tharn = You are Welcome

Khuen Kroo = The Ceremony during which a teacher accepts a new student

Kru = Instructor/Teacher/Master

Kru Muay = Tai Boxing Teacher

Ku Ek = The Number One Pair, meaning Main Fight/Bout on a Card

Kwaa = Right (to the right)

La Kon = Goodbye

Mongkon – The headband worn during pre-fight ceremony

Muay = No Distance [Boxing Range]

Muay Acheep = Professional Boxing

Muay Sakon = International-Style Boxing

Muay Thai = “No Distance” [Boxing] Fighting Art of the Free Land

Nak Muay = Boxer

Namnak = Weight

Nuam = Gloves

Paa Pan Mue = Wraps/Bandages worn under Gloves

Pee Liang = Seconds

Ra Tree Sa Wadee = Good Night

Raigaan Muay = Boxing Program

Ram Muay = Boxing Dance (part of the pre-fight ritual)

Run = Weight Category 

Saai = Left (to the left)

Sanam Muay = Boxing Stadium/Auditorium

Sangwien = Ring Ropes 

Sa Wadee = Hello (Greeting)

Sayan Sa Wadee = Good Evening

Shuay Chan Noi Doi Ma? = Can You Help Me?

Thai = Free/Independent

Thailand = The Free/Independent Land

Tharn Sa Bi Dee Rhuee = You are Welcome

Thai Flag Colors = Red, White, & Blue

Wai Kroo = Obeisance to the Teacher/Instructor (Kru) done in Pre-Fight Ritual

We La Tao R-Ai? = What Time Is It?

Wehtee = The Ring or Fighting Stage

Wong = Band [Musicians]

Wong Muay = The Orchestra that plays during the fight

Yaek = Break (used by referee in the fight to separate fighters) 

            Yala = Southern Provence of Thailand

            Yang Gan Fan = Mouth Guard

            Yang Sam Kung = 3 Step Dance (part of Ram Muay/Pre-Fight Ritual) 

            Yok = [Fighting] Round

            Yud = Stop (used by referee to stop the fighters)