แมวไม่อยู่ หนูร่าเริง

When the cat’s away the mice will play.

แมวไม่อยู่
แมว
maew ไม่
mâi อยู่
yùu หนู
nŭu ร่าเริง
râa rerng

Vocabulary

maew = a cat

mâi = don’t

yùu = stay

nŭu = a mouse

râa rerng = be playful

Literal Meaning

Cat is not there, mice are happy

English Proverb

When the cat’s away the mice will play.

Explanation

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When the cat is in the house. The mice have to stay hidden and quiet in order to avoid becoming dinner. When the cat is not there, they are freer and can come out to play without the fear of being caught. If the boss is out for the day, the workers can ease off on their work and have a bit more fun. If the teacher leaves the classroom, the pupils are likely to stop working and begin fooling around.

 

Example

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เมื่อภรรยาไม่อยู่บ้าน สามีก็ดีใจเหมือนแมวไม่อยู่หนูร่าเริง

mêua pan-rá-yaa mâi yùu bâan săa-mee gôr dee jai mĕuan maew mâi yùu nŭu râa  rerng

when the wife is not at home, husband be happy like a cat is not there, mice are happy.