Chinese Loan Words in Thai and Changes in Meaning

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to 1) study Chinese loanwords in Thai, and 2) study the change of the meaning of Chinese loanwords in Thai. The results of the research found that there are 360 Chinese loanwords in Thai, divided into eight categories, ranked from most to least as follows: 1) gestures and emotional characteristics, 68 words, accounting for 18.9 percent; 2) food and cooking, 64 words, accounting for 17.8 percent; 3) miscellaneous, 58 words, accounting for 16.1 percent; 4) relatives and people, 55 words, accounting for 15.3 percent; 5) tools and utensils, 39 words, accounting for 10.8 percent; 6) nature, 31 words, accounting for 8.6 percent; 7) traditions and culture, 24 words, accounting for 6.7 percent; and 8) trade, weighing and measuring, 21 words, accounting for 5.8 percent. All eight categories are borrowed from Teochew and Hokkien Chinese. Cantonese, Hainanese and Mandarin Chinese. From the study of the meaning of Chinese loanwords in Thai, a total of 360 words, they can be divided into four characteristics as follows: 1) The same meaning, 267 words, or 74.1 percent, 2) The meaning has changed, 54 words, or 15 percent, 3) The meaning has narrowed, 20 words, or 5.6 percent, and 4) The meaning has expanded, 19 words, or 5.3 percent. Studying Chinese loanwords in Thai will help Chinese users understand Chinese society, way of life, and culture. Moreover, Chinese language learners can apply them to benefit their education.