pretend not to notice
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- 1 pretend not to notice、act unconcerned、show no reaction
Describes deliberately showing no reaction, often as if one had not noticed, did not care, or thought nothing was wrong.
pretend not to notice、act unconcerned、show no reaction
To remain deliberately unresponsive when some acknowledgment, emotion, or action would normally be expected.
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ฉันทักเขา แต่เขาทำเฉย chǎn thák khǎw tɛ̀ɛ khǎw tham chə̌əy I said hello to him, but he acted as if he hadn't noticed. ฉันทักเขา แต่เขาทำเฉย details
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เขาทำเฉยเหมือนไม่มีอะไรเกิดขึ้น khǎw tham chə̌əy mʉ̌an mây mii aray kə̀ət khʉ̂n He acted as if nothing had happened. เขาทำเฉยเหมือนไม่มีอะไรเกิดขึ้น details
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อย่าทำเฉยสิ ช่วยกันหน่อย yàa tham chə̌əy sì chûay kan nɔ̀ɔy Don't just stand there doing nothing. Give us a hand. อย่าทำเฉยสิ ช่วยกันหน่อย details
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เห็นคนเดือดร้อนแล้วจะทำเฉยไม่ได้ hěn khon dʉ̀atrɔ́ɔn lɛ́ɛw cà tham chə̌əy mây dâay I can't ignore someone who's in trouble. เห็นคนเดือดร้อนแล้วจะทำเฉยไม่ได้ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The expression combines ทำ, “to do or act,” with เฉย, which conveys remaining still, quiet, or unresponsive. Its central idea is withholding an expected response—such as acknowledging someone, showing surprise, explaining oneself, or offering help. Depending on the situation, it may mean pretending not to notice, acting as if nothing happened, or standing by without acting. The form ทำเป็นเฉย makes the element of deliberate pretense even more explicit.
Usage
Common in everyday conversation when someone fails to acknowledge a greeting, acts unaffected by a problem, or does nothing when action is expected. อย่าทำเฉย is used to urge someone not to remain passive or unresponsive.
Caution
Do not treat it as identical to เฉยๆ or อยู่เฉยๆ, which can simply mean doing nothing or staying still. ทำเฉย usually highlights an outward lack of an expected response. It also does not always imply the hostility suggested by deliberately snubbing someone.
Differences from similar words
1 pretend not to notice synonyms
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เมิน more strongly suggests deliberately snubbing or coldly ignoring someone. ทำเฉย has a wider range and can also describe acting unaffected by an event or failing to take action.