Topic > Jai and Thai: Understanding the Thai Heart - 857

In the Thai language, Jai (Thai: ใจ) means "Heart", "Mind" or "Spirit". If you listen to conversations between Thais, you will hear this word several times a day and you will also see that the word “Jai” is often used in advertising campaigns and promotional literature. It is always used as part of an expression to reflect "humanity" and "property of human being", and is very rooted in Thai culture, as Thais perceive that "Jai" is not just the physical organ that simply pumps the blood. through the body to keep oneself alive, but "Jai" is also a key metaphor in the Thai language that expresses the innermost feelings and emotions. Understanding the Thai word "Jai" means understanding the importance of the Thai "heart". which provides access to the Thai way of looking at oneself, others and life. Jai is the essential root of many vocabularies; it is used to express ideas about being in a human way, actions and performances, states and conditions, feelings and emotions, and characteristics. This is because in the Thai language Jai is the center of feelings, which shapes moods, nourishes the spirit and builds and supports personal and social relationships. Jai is also the main part of the extensive Thai vocabulary for expressing many deeper feelings such as happiness, sadness, hope, fear and anxiety. Additionally, the Thai language uses Jai or Thai heart to generate meaning in various contexts. For a native Thai speaker raised to understand that Jai is a word with hundreds of nuances, it is an evocative word that resonates in many senses. Just like in English, the word heart is also associated with a more spiritual level to describe feelings or characteristics. In this case, the Thais hold the restaurant's paper, and then notice that there is only a piece of blueberry cheesecake left on the plate. They remain silent for a while and then try to offer that slice of cake to the others in the group as if no one wants to eat the last tasty crunchy slice of blueberry cheesecake. In this case, it means all ELS students in the “Mee Khwam Kreng Jai” (Thai: มีความเกรงใจ) group. Another example of Jai or Thai heart to discuss is “Jai Yen” (Thai: ใจเย็น). Jai Yen refers to the state of being easy-going and cold-tempered. Additionally, the word can refer to a person who is patient, forgiving, and accepting of whatever circumstances life brings. Possessing Jai Yen is usually considered a sign of emotional maturity, so in Thai culture, the culture that places great importance on social harmony, relationships and feelings, cultivating Jai Yen is highly valued.