ช้า
slow
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 slow、sluggish
- 2 slowly
- 3 late、behind schedule
- 4 late、delayed
This common word describes something moving or progressing at a low speed, or happening later than expected. After a verb, it often means “slowly” or “late.”
slow、sluggish
Describes a person, vehicle, machine, or process that moves or operates at a low speed.
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รถคันนี้ช้ามาก rót khan níi cháa mâak This car is very slow. รถคันนี้ช้ามาก details
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อินเทอร์เน็ตช้า inthəənét cháa The internet is slow. อินเทอร์เน็ตช้า details
slowly
Indicates that an action is done at a low speed. The repeated form ช้าๆ is especially common in gentle requests or instructions to slow down.
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พูดช้าๆ หน่อย phûut cháa cháa nɔ̀ɔy Please speak a little more slowly. พูดช้าๆ หน่อย details
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ขับรถช้าลง khàp rót cháa loŋ Drive more slowly. ขับรถช้าลง details
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กินช้าๆ kin cháa cháa Eat slowly. กินช้าๆ details
late、behind schedule
Indicates that an action or arrival happens later than the expected or scheduled time.
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วันนี้เขามาทำงานช้า wan níi khǎw maa tham ŋaan cháa He came to work late today. วันนี้เขามาทำงานช้า details
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ขอโทษที่มาช้า khɔ̌ɔ thôot thîi maa cháa Sorry I’m late. ขอโทษที่มาช้า details
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อย่าช้า yàa cháa Don’t delay. อย่าช้า details
late、delayed
Describes something whose timing or progress is later than expected.
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งานช้ากว่ากำหนด ŋaan cháa kwàa kamnòt The work is behind schedule. งานช้ากว่ากำหนด details
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ตอนนี้ช้าเกินไปแล้ว tɔɔn níi cháa kəən pay lɛ́ɛw It’s too late now. ตอนนี้ช้าเกินไปแล้ว details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of ช้า is progressing less quickly than a relevant standard. It can describe a state, as in รถช้า (“the vehicle is slow”), or follow a verb, as in เดินช้า (“walk slowly”) and มาช้า (“come late”). The repeated form ช้าๆ is extremely common in conversation and makes instructions such as พูดช้าๆ (“speak slowly”) sound gentle and natural. ช้ากว่า means “slower” or “later,” and ช้าที่สุด means “slowest” or “latest.” Its opposite is เร็ว, “fast” or “early.”
Usage
It is used in everyday situations to discuss the speed of vehicles, walking, speech, internet connections, and machines. It also describes slow progress or someone arriving later than expected. ช้าๆ is especially common when asking someone to speak, eat, drive, or perform another action more slowly.
Caution
For being late to a specific appointment, class, or starting time, สาย is usually more precise: มาสาย means “arrive late.” มาช้า has the broader sense of coming later or more slowly than expected. ช้า does not normally mean “late at night.” Use ดึก for that sense: กลับดึก means “come home late at night,” while กลับช้า is more likely to suggest a delayed or slow return.
Differences from similar words
1 slow synonyms
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เชื่องช้า often suggests sluggish or inefficient movement and can sound critical. ช้า is the neutral, general word for being slow.
2 slowly synonyms
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ค่อยๆ emphasizes doing something gradually, step by step, or carefully. ช้าๆ focuses mainly on performing the action at a low speed.
3 late synonyms
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ล่าช้า is common for delays involving plans, procedures, transportation, or projects and sounds somewhat more formal. ช้า is the everyday general term.
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สาย specifically means being late for a set time, such as work, class, or an appointment. ช้า more broadly describes an arrival or action occurring later than expected.