Speak Thai Like a ‘Dek Naew’

Hi-so:

Short for “high society,” a marker of anything perceived to be upscale.

Ween:

To go apeshit on someone. “You can ween a waiter who has given poor service,” says radio newscaster Jack Prinya, “or a boyfriend who has the same unknown phone number repeatedly appearing on his cell phone.”

Rangs:

“Strong” or “loud,” and the s is an intensifier. “It’s an insane mix of Thai and English,” says Prinya.

Mep:

“It means godlike, wonderful, awesome, super,” says Kitty Chirapongse, a social-media manager.

555:

Texting-code for LOL, from ha, the Thai word for five.

Dra-ma!:

Exclamation when someone is being overly dramatic.

Speak Thai Like a ‘Dek Naew’