nurture
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 nurture、support、prop up
It conveys holding someone protectively in one’s arms and, by extension, caring for or supporting people, organizations, and other vulnerable groups.
nurture、support、prop up
To care for and protect someone, or to keep a vulnerable person, business, or sector going through continued support.
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ครอบครัวโอบอุ้มเขาด้วยความรัก khrɔ̂ɔpkhrua òop ûm khǎw dûay khwaam rák His family surrounded him with love and support. ครอบครัวโอบอุ้มเขาด้วยความรัก details
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รัฐบาลออกมาตรการโอบอุ้มธุรกิจขนาดเล็ก rátthabaan ɔ̀ɔk mâattrakaan òop ûm thúrákìt khanàat lék The government introduced measures to support small businesses. รัฐบาลออกมาตรการโอบอุ้มธุรกิจขนาดเล็ก details
Learning notes
Explanation
โอบอุ้ม combines โอบ, “to put one’s arms around or enclose,” with อุ้ม, “to hold or carry in one’s arms.” Its underlying image is therefore one of enclosing, supporting, and protecting. It can describe physically holding a child, but it is also commonly used figuratively for nurturing someone or providing protective social, financial, or institutional support. Compared with a general word for “support,” it more strongly portrays the recipient as vulnerable or in need of help to remain secure or survive.
Usage
In family settings and narratives, it is used for holding a child tenderly or caring for someone with affection. In news, welfare, politics, and economics, it often describes aid for disadvantaged people or government measures intended to sustain struggling businesses or industries.
Caution
For simply carrying someone or something in one’s arms, อุ้ม is usually more natural; for an ordinary hug, use กอด. โอบอุ้ม normally adds a sense of protection or sustained support. When used of aid to companies or industries, it can sometimes carry a critical implication of bailing out or excessively protecting an otherwise unsustainable recipient.
Differences from similar words
1 nurture synonyms
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สนับสนุน is a broad, neutral verb meaning to support a person, activity, or idea. โอบอุ้ม suggests protective help that keeps a vulnerable or struggling recipient from failing.
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อุปถัมภ์ is a somewhat formal term for sustained patronage or sponsorship, often by someone with money or influence. โอบอุ้ม is broader and can describe loving care as well as protective government or institutional aid.