Idiomatic Expression: หนักเอาเบาสู้ (hnàk āo bāo sûu)
Meaning: is hardworking / resilient / dependable / willing to take on any task
In this Thai lesson, we learn how to use the idiomatic expression หนักเอาเบาสู้ (hnàk āo bāo sûu), which means ‘to work tirelessly,’ ‘to be willing to take on any task,’ ‘to persevere through hardship,’ or ‘to never shy away from hard work.’ It describes someone who is hard-working, resilient, and dependable, willing to do both difficult and easy tasks without complaining. The emphasis is on determination, dedication, and a strong work ethic, especially when facing challenges.
It made up of four words:
- หนัก (hnàk) = heavy / difficult
- เอา (āo) = to take
- เบา (bāo) = light / easy
- สู้ (sûu) = to fight / to persevere / to keep going
Together, หนักเอาเบาสู้ (hnàk āo bāo sûu) is literally ‘take the heave, fight through the light’. This literal translation doesn’t make much sense in English, but the idea is ‘whether the task is difficult or easy, they are willing to do it and keep going.’ The idiom praises someone who doesn’t avoid difficult work. Instead, they face every responsibility with persistence and commitment.
The typical structure usually follows the pattern: subject + หนักเอาเบาสู้ (hnàk āo bāo sûu).
For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-awyàang chên)
เขาเป็นคนที่หนักเอาเบาสู้
khǎo bpēn khōn thêe hnàk āo bāo sûu
Literal: He to be person who is willing to take on any task.
He is a hard worker who isn’t afraid of any kind of work, whether tough or light.
The verb phrase เป็นคนที่ (bpēn khōn thêe) means ‘to be someone who…,’ ‘to be the kind of person who…,’ or ‘to be a person who…’ It tells us what someone is like by nature or how they typically behave — subject + เป็นคนที่ (bpēn khōn thêe) + adjective / verb phrase.
เขาเป็นคนที่หนักเอาเบาสู้ และไม่เคยบ่นเรื่องงาน
khǎo bpēn khōn thêe hnàk āo bāo sûu láe mâi khēuy bòn rêuang ngāan
Literal: He to be person who is willing to take on any task and never moan matter work.
He is very hardworking and never complains about his work.
The verb บ่น (bòn) means ‘to moan,’ ‘to complain,’ ‘to grumble,’ ‘to nag,’ or ‘to mutter.’ It refers to expressing dissatisfaction, annoyance, or frustration, often repeatedly — subject + บ่น (bòn) + clause.
นายจ้างชอบลูกจ้างที่หนักเอาเบาสู้
nāai-jâang châwb lûuk-jâang thêe hnàk āo bāo sûu
Literal: Employer like employee that willing to take on any task.
Employers appreciate employees who are willing to work hard.
The noun นายจ้าง (nāai-jâang) means ‘employer.’ It refers to the person, company, or organisation that hires someone to work and pays them a salary or wages. It made of two words นาย (nāai = master / Mr.) and จ้าง (jâang = to hire / to employ). It emphasises the idea of ‘the one who hires’, and it pairs nicely with ลูกจ้าง (lûuk-jâang = employee / worker), which made up of two words: ลูกจ้าง (lûuk = child / dependent) and จ้าง (jâang = to hire / to employ), emphasising the idea of a person who is hired to work for someone else.
เธอประสบความสำเร็จเพราะว่าเธอเป็นคนที่หนักเอาเบาสู้
thēr bprà-sòb khwāam-sǎm-hrèd phrót wâa thēr bpēn khōn thêe hnàk āo bāo sûu
Literal: She encounter success because she to be person who is willing to take on any task.
She succeeded because she is someone who is willing to persevered through every challenge.
The verb phrase ประสบความสำเร็จ (bprà-sòb khwāam-sǎm-hrèd) means ‘to succeed,’ ‘to achieve success,’ or ‘to be successful.’ It is used when someone reaches a goal or desired outcome after effort, struggle, or planning.
Homework (การบ้าน — gāan-bâan)
Practise putting your newly learned Thai word into a sentence by translating the following sentences below.
- People who are hardworking and dependable are often trusted.
- If you’re willing to work hard and persevere, your chances of success will increase.
- He is an incredibly dedicated volunteer who never avoids hard work.
- His parents always taught him to be hardworking and resilient.
- He is an inspiration to everyone at work because he is someone who never sines away from hard work.
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