ท่อง
memorize by repetition
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 memorize by repetition、recite from memory
- 2 travel around、roam
- 3 chant an incantation、recite a ritual formula
This verb describes going through words repeatedly to memorize or recite them, chanting ritual formulas, or traveling from place to place. Its meaning depends heavily on what follows it.
memorize by repetition、recite from memory
To repeat words or a set text, usually aloud, in order to memorize it or recite it from memory.
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เด็ก ๆ กำลังท่องสูตรคูณ dèk dèk kamlaŋ thɔ̂ɔŋ sùut khuun The children are reciting the multiplication tables. เด็ก ๆ กำลังท่องสูตรคูณ details
travel around、roam
To travel around and visit different places rather than go directly to a single destination. It commonly appears in established combinations.
chant an incantation、recite a ritual formula
To chant a fixed magical or ritual formula for its religious, spiritual, or supernatural purpose, rather than as a memorization exercise.
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หมอผีกำลังท่องคาถา mɔ̌ɔ phǐi kamlaŋ thɔ̂ɔŋ khaathǎa The sorcerer is chanting an incantation. หมอผีกำลังท่องคาถา details
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เขาท่องมนต์ก่อนเริ่มพิธี khǎw thɔ̂ɔŋ mon kɔ̀ɔn rə̂əm phíthii He chanted a ritual formula before the ceremony began. เขาท่องมนต์ก่อนเริ่มพิธี details
Learning notes
Explanation
ท่อง can describe moving repeatedly through a sequence of words or moving through a series of places. In learning contexts, it is used for vocabulary, multiplication tables, poems, lines, and other verbal material that is repeated and memorized. With คาถา “incantation” or มนต์ “ritual formula,” it instead refers to chanting words for a ritual or supernatural purpose. In its travel sense, it occurs in combinations such as ท่องโลก, “travel the world.” The compound ท่องเที่ยว is much more common for ordinary travel and sightseeing.
Usage
It is used in school and self-study when repeating vocabulary, multiplication tables, poems, or lines; in rituals and stories when chanting incantations; and when describing travel through many places. In everyday travel contexts, it most often appears in the compound ท่องเที่ยว.
Caution
In the memorization sense, ท่อง implies repeating verbal material rather than simply retaining information. For ordinary Buddhist chanting or prayer, สวดมนต์ is generally the more natural expression. The separate sense “to wade through water” is not included here.
Differences from similar words
1 memorize by repetition synonyms
2 travel around synonyms
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เดินทาง is the general verb for traveling or making a journey to a destination. ท่อง emphasizes roaming or visiting a number of places.
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เที่ยว is the everyday verb for going out for pleasure or taking a trip. ท่อง more strongly suggests roaming through different places and can sound literary when used alone.
3 chant an incantation synonyms
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สวดมนต์ commonly refers to chanting Buddhist texts or saying prayers. ท่องมนต์ focuses on reciting a fixed ritual formula and may carry a magical or occult connotation in some contexts.