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Khun Kao · 03-30-2003, 08:36 PM

I spoke with my instructors daughter regarding the terms "Ajarn" vs. "Kru" and their proper use.

Ajarn = teacher (formal) Your college professor or dean are most commonly referred to as Ajarn

Kru = teacher (informal) Your Boxing coach. Because your relationship with your coach is often mostly informal, you refer to them as "Kru".

A perfect example of the usage would be Master Chai. Most people who are members of his association and train at its affiliated schools would refer to Master Chai as Ajarn Chai, as they do not train directly with him and the personal bond does not exist. Master Chai's personal students could correctly refer to him as Kru Chai, as they train with him regularly and a personal relationship or bond has been formed between them.

Same goes for my instructor, Master K. Because I trained with him for years and years, (in his basement and living room, no less!), I may address him informally as Kru K. However, my students who have not trained with him should refer to him as Ajarn K.

*editted*- I just mean to offer a different perspective, as I recently had a discussion on this topic with a Thai person.

Khun Kao

03-30-2003, 08:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Khun Kao Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 847 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	I spoke with my instructors daughter regarding the terms "Ajarn" vs. "Kru" and their proper use. Ajarn = teacher (formal) Your college professor or dean are most commonly referred to as Ajarn Kru = teacher (informal) Your Boxing coach. Because your relationship with your coach is often mostly informal, you refer to them as "Kru". A perfect example of the usage would be Master Chai. Most people who are members of his association and train at its affiliated schools would refer to Master Chai as Ajarn Chai, as they do not train directly with him and the personal bond does not exist. Master Chai's personal students could correctly refer to him as Kru Chai, as they train with him regularly and a personal relationship or bond has been formed between them. Same goes for my instructor, Master K. Because I trained with him for years and years, (in his basement and living room, no less!), I may address him informally as Kru K. However, my students who have not trained with him should refer to him as Ajarn K. editted- I just mean to offer a different perspective, as I recently had a discussion on this topic with a Thai person. Khun Kao __________________ Kru Brooks C. Miller GCA MuayThai Board of Advisors USMTA Director of DC, MD, and VA http://khunkao.com/ Last edited by Khun Kao; 03-30-2003 at 10:43 PM.