kathoey

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from Thai กะเทย (gà-təəi), from Khmer ខ្ទើយ (khtəəy), from Proto-Mon-Khmer *ɡɗəəj.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /kæˈtɔɪ/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɔɪ
  • Hyphenation: ka‧thoey

Noun

kathoey (plural kathoeys) (Thailand)

  1. A feminine or effeminate transgender person or person of a third gender assigned male at birth from Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand.
    Synonym: ladyboy
    Coordinate term: trans woman
  2. A effeminate gay man.

Translations