Editorial policy and process | Manao Thai Dictionary

High editorial standards

Our mission is to create a Thai dictionary that turns unfamiliar words into confidence in using them. To fulfill that mission, we apply the following high editorial standards.

Understand with confidence

A native Thai editor reviews each entry's Thai meanings, natural usage, examples, and pronunciation. English localization follows the separate process described below. We publish only after the required editorial reviews and localization checks are complete. When questions remain, the team investigates real examples and reference information before reaching a decision.
From “I don't know it” to “I can use it”

One of our editorial standards is whether learners can move from “I don't know this word” to feeling confident using it by the end of the page. They should grasp the word's central image, learn how it is used through appropriate examples, and understand cautions and differences from similar words. We select and edit each part of an entry by asking, “Will reading this page make the learner ready to use the word?”
Find everything you need in one place

Meanings, pronunciation, phonetic transcription, examples, detailed explanations, synonyms, cautions, component words, frequency, and other learning information are brought together so learners do not need to consult another dictionary.
Continuously increase both coverage and quality

We continually add current vocabulary and respond to changes in usage. Feedback from readers is reviewed by the operator and, when necessary, reconsidered by the editorial team so that both the coverage and quality of the dictionary keep improving.

English localization

English entries are created with AI assistance alongside the Japanese version, using the same underlying word data and editorial decisions. A native Thai editor reviews each entry's Thai meaning, naturalness, examples, and pronunciation, while a native Japanese editor reviews the Japanese definitions, nuance, and learner-focused explanations.

The English text is not proofread line by line before publication. It undergoes automated checks and selective review by the operator, who holds EIKEN Grade 1, an advanced English proficiency certification in Japan. We also review issues reported by readers.

When an issue affects the underlying meaning or usage, we review and correct both the Japanese and English versions. Issues limited to English wording are corrected in the English version.

Our publication process

Select the word and identify meanings and usage that require investigation.
Organize draft meanings, explanations, examples, and localized text.
A native Thai editor reviews each sense, usage context, naturalness in Thai, examples, and pronunciation.
When questions remain, the team investigates real examples and the meanings of possible translations.
Compare pronunciation rules with actual usage and determine the phonetic transcription, katakana, and tone notation.
A native Thai speaker records the audio and checks example sentences one by one.
Create and update the English text with AI assistance, then run automated checks and selective review by the operator.
Publish after the required source-content reviews, corrections, and localization checks are complete.

What we review

Meanings and definitions

We check whether each sense is valid in Thai, whether a definition is too broad or narrow, and which wording is natural in each context.

Example sentences

Every example is checked for the intended sense, natural Thai expression, and whether it clearly teaches real usage.

Pronunciation

We consider consonants, vowel length, final consonants, tone rules, conventional readings, and exceptions, then compare them with actual pronunciation.

Learner clarity

We check whether the core image, usage situations, synonym distinctions, cautions, frequency, and labels support practical learning decisions.

Pronunciation and recording policy

In Thai, distinctions such as tone, vowel length, and aspiration affect meaning and intelligibility. We consider both rules derived from the script and conventional pronunciations or exceptions for individual words.

We use recordings made by native Thai speakers rather than synthetic speech (AI). A pitch graph derived from the recording also helps learners see the timing and speed of tonal movement.

Core editorial team

Editorial decisions are not made from only a Thai perspective. Team members divide responsibilities across those languages and discuss questions together. English localization follows the separate process described above.

Native Thai editor

Primarily responsible for Thai meanings, natural usage, examples, pronunciation, and recordings.

Graduate of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Thammasat University
Passed the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1
Has lived in Japan for 8 years
Extensive interpreting and translation experience across diverse industries and settings, including manufacturing and staffing
Reviews every example and rewrites, adds, or removes sentences when needed
Checks whether the intended Japanese meaning matches the Thai sense

Japanese editor and operator

Primarily responsible for Japanese definitions, learner-focused explanations, Thai reading and pronunciation rules, and editorial operations.

Speaks Thai and has studied at Chulalongkorn University
7+ years of experience creating Thai learning materials and apps. “Thai Reading,” an app for learning how to read Thai, has an average global App Store rating of 4.7 from 420 ratings
Holds EIKEN(English assessment) Grade 1 and selectively reviews English localization
Explains Thai script, vowel length, tones, pronunciation rules, and exceptions for learners

View the Thai reading app operated by this editor

Research and team discussion

When a meaning or usage is debatable, we search for real examples and examine the contexts in which the word appears.

We do not mechanically adopt content. Published content is based on a combination of usage evidence, pronunciation rules, native judgment, and clarity for learners.

Corrections and updates after publication

We continue reviewing entries after publication in response to new usage, language change, and reader feedback. Reports of possible errors, unnatural wording, or English localization issues are reviewed by the operator and discussed by the editorial team when necessary.

Readers cannot directly overwrite entries. The team welcomes feedback while remaining responsible for evaluating changes and managing publication.