อภินิหาร — meaning in English: supernatural

Usage

Native speakers often use the word อภินิหาร in discussions about religion, folklore, or during storytelling sessions, especially when referring to miraculous events or encounters with deities. For instance, in a Buddhist temple, one might hear tales of อภินิหาร associated with revered monks and their supernatural abilities.

Synonyms & nuances

A similar term is 'ปาฏิหาริย์' (pāṭihāriya), which also means miracle or wonder. While อภินิหาร often conveys a broader sense of supernatural phenomena, ปาฏิหาริย์ tends to emphasize specific miraculous events. You would choose อภินิหาร when discussing the overarching theme of supernatural phenomena in a general context.

Culture

The word อภินิหาร is derived from the Pali term 'abhinīhāra,' which relates to miraculous manifestations often attributed to Buddhist saints and deities. This reflects Thailand's rich spiritual heritage, where such occurrences are woven into the fabric of cultural narratives and are celebrated in festivals and local legends.

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