Kathoey, the word, its history and how to use it
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Kathoey is a Thai word for people assigned male at birth who live or express themselves in a feminine way, and today it most often refers to trans women. It is also spelled katoey. In English it is usually translated as ladyboy, though the Thai polite term is sao praphet song.
Where the word comes from
Kathoey is an old word in the Thai language. In earlier usage it described people who did not fit the categories of man or woman, sometimes including intersex people and feminine men. Over the twentieth century its meaning narrowed, and today most Thai speakers use it for trans women and very feminine gay men.
Scholars of Thai culture often point out that Thailand had a place for gender variance long before modern Western ideas of transgender identity arrived. That does not mean kathoey were always respected. It means the category existed and was familiar, which partly explains why trans women are so visible in Thailand today.
How the word sounds in Thai today
The feeling of the word depends on who says it and how. Many Thai trans women use kathoey about themselves with pride or humour, in the same way some communities reclaim words. From outsiders, especially in a mocking tone, it can sound rude.
Because of this, polite Thai uses sao praphet song, which means "a second kind of woman", often shortened to sao song. Newspapers, official contexts and careful speakers tend to prefer it. Many people also use phuying kham phet, a newer term that translates closely as transgender woman.
Kathoey, ladyboy and trans woman compared
These three words overlap, but they are not identical:
| Word | Language | Where it is used | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathoey | Thai | Everyday Thai speech, in the community | Familiar, can be rude from outsiders |
| Ladyboy | English, used across Southeast Asia | Tourism, media, online search, many Thai women about themselves | Informal, widely accepted in the region |
| Trans woman | English, international | Formal, medical, legal and activist contexts | Neutral and respectful |
Kathoey and ladyboy can also cover people who would not call themselves trans women, such as some feminine gay men, while trans woman is a clear statement of gender identity. For more on the English word, read ladyboy meaning.
How to use these words with respect
If you are not Thai and not part of the community, a few simple rules keep you on safe ground:
- In English, trans woman is always respectful. Ladyboy is fine in casual conversation in Southeast Asia, especially if the person uses it herself.
- Use kathoey when you talk about the word, its history or Thai culture, rather than to label a person you have just met.
- Follow the words a person uses about herself, and use she and her.
- Never combine any of these words with jokes about bodies, or with old slurs used in Western media.
On LadyBoy.net we use ladyboy where people search for it, trans woman in running text and sao praphet song as the main polite term in Thai. We treat the women in our community as people with careers, families and stories.
Calendar
Shows, pageants and Pride
Kathoey in culture
Kathoey are part of Thai films, television comedies, music, cabaret theatres and beauty pageants. Some portrayals are affectionate, others are stereotypes played for laughs. In recent years more Thai trans women tell their own stories as actors, writers, creators and business owners. Our article on Thai ladyboy culture looks at pageants, cabaret and media in more depth, and the Thai ladyboys page covers careers.
To talk about language, identity and life in Thailand with people who live it, join the conversation in our forum.
Questions people ask
What does kathoey mean?+
Kathoey is a Thai word that today mostly means trans woman, and sometimes very feminine gay men. In English it is often translated as ladyboy.
Is kathoey an offensive word?+
Not always. Many Thai trans women use it about themselves. From outsiders or in a mocking tone it can be rude, so the polite Thai term sao praphet song is safer in most situations.
How do you spell kathoey?+
Kathoey is the most common spelling in English. You will also see katoey and katoy, since Thai words have several romanised forms.
Is a kathoey the same as a ladyboy?+
In practice the two words are used for the same group of people, one in Thai and one in English. Both are informal. Trans woman is the more precise and respectful choice in English.
What pronouns should I use?+
Use she and her. If a person tells you something different, follow what she says.