นาย [naai] is equivalent of “Mr.” in English, used to address a man. นาง [naang] is equivalent of “Mrs.”, used for a married woman. “นางสาว” [naang sǎao] was originally used for unmarried women who are 15 years old or over. However, since the year 2008, women can legally choose to keep their title “นางสาว” [naang sǎao] or change it to นาง [naang] after marriage.

Moreover, we also have the titles เด็กชาย [dèk chaai] and เด็กหญิง [dèk yǐng], which literally mean “boy” and “girl” respectively, for all the boys and girls under 15 years old.

In summary

Boys under 15 – – – – – > เด็กชาย [dèk chaai] abbrev. ด.ช.
Girls under 15 – – – – – > เด็กหญิง [dèk yǐng] abbrev. ด.ญ.
Boys 15 years or older – – – – – > นาย [naai]
Unmarried women – – – – – > นางสาว [naang sǎao] abbrev. น.ส.
Married women – – – – – > นางสาว [naang sǎao] or นาง [naang]

Below are examples of what you can know from looking at someone’s name and title.

เด็กหญิง นิตยา [dèk yǐng Nittayaa] – – – Female under 15
เด็กชาย สมศักดิ์ [dèk chaai Somsak] – – – Male under 15
นาย อรรณนพ [naai Annop] – – – Male 15 or older
นาง สุภาณี [naang Suphanee] – – – Female, 15 or older married
นางสาว ธัญพร [naang sǎao Tanyaporn] – – – Female, 15 or older, married or unmarried

[- – – S L A N G – – -]

“นาง” [naang] is also a recent slang word, used to refer to a person of any sex, married or unmarried. In other words, it is used for “he” or “she.” This slang word has become quite popular among teenagers and young adults and is considered a funny and informal way to refer to someone.

Examples:

เมื่อวานเราเป็นคนขับรถกลับ แฟนไม่ได้ขับ นางเมา
[Mêua waan rao kàp rót glàp. Fan mâi dâai kàp. Naang mao]
Yesterday, I was the one who drove back, not my boyfriend. He was drunk.

ปีนี้เราให้จักรยานเป็นของขวัญลูก นางดีใจมากๆ อยากได้มานาน
[pii níi rao hâi jàkgrayaan pen kǎwng kwǎn lûuk. Naang dii jai mâak mâak. Yàak dâai maa naan]
This year, I gave my daughter a bicycle as a present. She was very happy. She’d been wanting it for so long.

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