ชอบ
like
Native recording
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- 1 like、be fond of、be pleased with
- 2 often do、tend to do、be likely to do
- 3 rightful、proper、lawful
The core meaning is “to like.” It is used for preferences toward people, things, and activities, and before a verb it can also mean “often does” or “tends to do.” In formal fixed expressions, it can mean “rightful” or “lawful.”
like、be fond of、be pleased with
This means to like or be fond of a person, thing, or activity. It is the most common everyday use of the word.
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คุณชอบอาหารไทยไหม khun chɔ̂ɔp aahǎan thay mǎy Do you like Thai food? คุณชอบอาหารไทยไหม details
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ฉันชอบดูหนัง chǎn chɔ̂ɔp duu nǎŋ I like watching movies. ฉันชอบดูหนัง details
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ผมชอบคุณครับ phǒm chɔ̂ɔp khun khráp I like you. ผมชอบคุณครับ details
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ไม่ชอบอากาศร้อน mây chɔ̂ɔp aakàat rɔ́ɔn I don’t like hot weather. ไม่ชอบอากาศร้อน details
often do、tend to do、be likely to do
Before another verb, it can show that something happens often or as a habit or tendency. It does not always mean the person likes doing it.
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เขาชอบมาสาย khǎw chɔ̂ɔp maa sǎay He often comes late. เขาชอบมาสาย details
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เด็กคนนี้ชอบร้องไห้ dèk khon níi chɔ̂ɔp rɔ́ɔŋ hây This child tends to cry a lot. เด็กคนนี้ชอบร้องไห้ details
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ฝนชอบตกตอนเย็น fǒn chɔ̂ɔp tòk tɔɔn yen It often rains in the evening. ฝนชอบตกตอนเย็น details
rightful、proper、lawful
This means proper, rightful, or lawful according to principles, rules, or law. It is mostly used in set or formal expressions rather than as a free everyday adjective.
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ชอบด้วยกฎหมาย chɔ̂ɔp dûay kòt mǎay lawful; in accordance with the law ชอบด้วยกฎหมาย details
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ถูกต้องชอบธรรม thùuk tɔ̂ŋ chɔ̂ɔptham correct and rightful ถูกต้องชอบธรรม details
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โดยมิชอบ dooy mí chɔ̂ɔp wrongfully; unlawfully โดยมิชอบ details
Learning notes
Explanation
ชอบ is first of all the everyday word for “to like.” Use ชอบ + noun for liking something, and ชอบ + verb phrase for liking to do something. However, ชอบ + verb can also mean “often does” or “tends to do,” depending on the verb and context. เขาชอบกินเผ็ด means “he likes eating spicy food,” while เขาชอบมาสาย normally means “he often comes late,” not that he enjoys being late. The negative ไม่ชอบ means “don’t like” and is much softer than เกลียด, “hate.”
Usage
It is very common in everyday conversation when talking about preferences: food, music, movies, people, clothes, places, and activities. It is also used to describe habits or things that tend to happen. In legal, moral, or official contexts, it appears in expressions such as ชอบธรรม and ชอบด้วยกฎหมาย.
Caution
For some objects, Thai sounds more natural when you include the activity involved. For example, “I like TV” is often better as ชอบดูทีวี, “I like watching TV.” Also, ชอบ is not the same as รัก; use รัก for love or deep affection.
Differences from similar words
1 like synonyms
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ถูกใจ emphasizes that something suits your taste or feels right to you, often for things you see, choose, or buy. ชอบ is broader and works for people, things, and activities in general.
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พอใจ means to be satisfied with a result or situation. ชอบ mainly expresses liking or preference.
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รัก means to love and expresses stronger affection toward family, partners, or something deeply important. ชอบ is lighter: to like or be fond of.
2 often do synonyms
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มักจะ neutrally means “usually” or “tends to.” ชอบ + verb is common in speech and can sound more like the speaker is pointing out someone’s habit or recurring behavior.
3 rightful synonyms
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ถูก is the basic short word for “right” or “correct.” Using ชอบ alone to mean “right” sounds formal or limited to set expressions, so it is not the usual everyday choice.
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ถูกต้อง is the general everyday word for “correct” or “right.” In this sense, ชอบ is formal and usually appears in expressions like ชอบธรรม or ชอบด้วยกฎหมาย.