เอ่อ
uh
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 uh、um
- 2 rise (water)、well up (liquid, tears)
In conversation, this word is used like “uh” or “um” when hesitating or searching for words. It can also describe water or another liquid rising and welling up.
uh、um
A conversational filler used while thinking, searching for words, or hesitantly introducing something.
-
เอ่อ... ไม่รู้เหมือนกัน ə̀ə mây rúu mʉ̌an kan Um... I don't know either. เอ่อ... ไม่รู้เหมือนกัน details
Show more (1)
-
เอ่อ... จะพูดยังไงดี ə̀ə cà phûut yaŋ ŋay dii Um... how should I put this? เอ่อ... จะพูดยังไงดี details
rise (water)、well up (liquid, tears)
Describes water or another liquid rising, welling up, or beginning to overflow; it is also commonly used of tears.
-
น้ำเอ่อขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ náam ə̀ə khʉ̂n rʉ̂ay rʉ̂ay The water kept rising. น้ำเอ่อขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ details
-
น้ำตาเอ่อขึ้นมา nám taa ə̀ə khʉ̂n maa Tears welled up. น้ำตาเอ่อขึ้นมา details
Learning notes
Explanation
Its most noticeable everyday use is as a spoken hesitation marker. Speakers use it when they need time to find a word or when they are cautiously introducing a question or request. In written dialogue, it is often shown as เอ่อ... with an ellipsis. Separately, it describes liquid rising or welling up. With น้ำ, it refers to a rising water level; with น้ำตา, it describes tears gathering or welling up in the eyes.
Usage
In conversation, it is common when thinking through an answer, trying to remember a name or expression, or cautiously beginning a request. The liquid-related use occurs when river or canal water rises, especially after heavy rain, and when tears well up through emotion.
Caution
Do not confuse conversational เอ่อ with เออ. Depending on context, เออ can mean “yeah,” signal acknowledgment, or introduce a sudden recollection. Repeating เอ่อ frequently in a formal presentation or interview may make the speaker sound hesitant or unprepared.
Differences from similar words
1 uh synonyms
-
อืม can show that someone is thinking, but it can also be a response meaning “mm-hmm.” เอ่อ is more specifically a filler used while searching for what to say.
-
เออ commonly expresses agreement, acknowledgment, or sudden recollection, similar to “yeah” or “oh, right.” เอ่อ instead signals hesitation and is not normally an affirmative response.