Thai edit

Etymology edit

From Old Khmer ren or Angkorian Old Khmer ryyan, ryyaṇ, ryyān, ryān (to apply the mind to: to study, drill, practice; to learn; to acquire knowledge). Cognate with Modern Khmer រៀន (riən); Lao ຮຽນ (hīan); ᦵᦣᧃ (hen), Northern Thai ᩁ᩠ᨿᩁ, Khün ᩁ᩠ᨿᩁ, Shan ႁဵၼ်း (háen).

Pronunciation edit

Orthographic/Phonemicเรียน
e r ī y n
RomanizationPaiboonriian
Royal Instituterian
(standard) IPA(key)/ria̯n˧/(R)
Audio

Verb edit

เรียน (riian) (abstract noun การเรียน)

  1. to learn; to study.
  2. (humble) to address, inform, notify, speak to, or tell (a person of equal or higher status).
  3. (humble) used as an expression of respect or conventional greeting when addressing a person of equal or higher status, as in a letter, speech, etc.
    จดหมายว่า "เรียนผู้บัญชาการตำรวจนครบาล..."
    jòt-mǎai wâa · “riian pûu-ban-chaa-gaan dtam-rùuat ná-kɔɔn-baan ...”
    The letter says "To the Commander of the Metropolitan Police..."
    เรียนท่านประธาน...
    riian tâan bprà-taan ...
    Dear Mr Chairman...
    เรียนลูกค้าทุกท่านโปรดทราบว่า ธนาคารจะปิดทำการสามวัน
    riian lûuk-káa túk tâan bpròot sâap wâa · tá-naa-kaan jà bpìt tam gaan sǎam wan
    Dear all customers, please be informed that the Bank will be closed for three days.

Usage notes edit

  • According to the style guide published by the Thai government in 2012, the term is applied to any commoners other than the holders of the following public positions of Thailand, to whom the term กราบเรียน is applied: (1) President of the Privy Council; (2) Prime Minister; (3) President of the National Assembly; (4) President of the House of Representatives; (5) President of the Senate; (6) President of the Supreme Court of Justice; (7) President of the Constitutional Court; (8) President of the Supreme Administrative Court; (9) President of the Election Commission; (10) President of the National Human Rights Commission; (11) President of the National Anti-Corruption Commission; (12) President of the State Audit Commission; (13) Chief Ombudsman; (14) Ombudsman; (15) Attorney General; (16) Stateman.
  • For gods, high priests, and royal persons, the terms ทูล (tuun), กราบทูล, and กราบบังคมทูล are used.

Derived terms edit

See also edit

Adverb edit

เรียน (riian)

  1. (humble) used to prefix a verb for politeness when addressing a person of equal or higher status: kindly, humbly, respectfully, etc.
    เรียนเชิญมางานพรุ่งนี้
    riian chəən maa ngaan prûng-níi
    We humbly invite you to the event tomorrow.
    เรียนถามท่านเรื่องนั้นด้วย
    riian tǎam tâan rʉ̂ʉang nán dûai
    Kindly ask him about that matter too.