สูบ
smoke
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 smoke、smoke (a cigarette, cigar, etc.)
- 2 pump、pump out、drain、draw in
- 3 drain (money, time, energy)、bleed someone dry、suck up (resources)
สูบ is a verb for drawing something in, especially smoking or using a pump to move water, air, or another substance. It can also be used figuratively for draining money, time, or energy.
smoke、smoke (a cigarette, cigar, etc.)
Used for smoking by taking smoke into the mouth or lungs, especially in the common phrase สูบบุหรี่ “to smoke cigarettes.”
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สูบบุหรี่ sùup bùrìi smoke cigarettes สูบบุหรี่ details
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เขาไม่สูบบุหรี่ khǎw mây sùup bùrìi He doesn't smoke. เขาไม่สูบบุหรี่ details
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ห้ามสูบบุหรี่ hâam sùup bùrìi No smoking. ห้ามสูบบุหรี่ details
pump、pump out、drain、draw in
Used when a pump or machine draws in, pumps out, or moves water, air, or liquid. The English translation depends on the direction and context: pump, pump out, drain, or inflate.
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สูบน้ำ sùup náam pump water / drain water สูบน้ำ details
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สูบลมเข้ายาง sùup lom khâw yaaŋ pump air into a tire สูบลมเข้ายาง details
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เครื่องสูบน้ำ khrʉ̂aŋ sùup náam water pump เครื่องสูบน้ำ details
drain (money, time, energy)、bleed someone dry、suck up (resources)
Used figuratively when something drains or eats up money, time, energy, or resources. It often sounds critical or informal.
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สูบเงิน sùup ŋən drain money สูบเงิน details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of สูบ is drawing something inward or pulling it up by suction. The most common learner-level phrase is สูบบุหรี่, “to smoke cigarettes.” With machines, it appears in phrases like สูบน้ำ for pumping or draining water and สูบลม for pumping air. Figuratively, it can describe something that drains money, time, energy, or resources.
Usage
It is common in conversations and signs about smoking. It is also used in practical contexts such as farming, construction, flood control, and vehicle or bicycle maintenance when pumps move water or air. In informal speech, it can describe things like games, businesses, or services that drain time or money.
Caution
Do not use สูบ for ordinary breathing; use หายใจเข้า for “breathe in.” For smelling something, use ดม, and for inhaling deeply, use สูด. สูบอากาศ sounds like mechanical air suction, not normal breathing.
Differences from similar words
1 smoke synonyms
2 pump synonyms
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สูด is used for inhaling air, smells, or breath deeply. สูบ is used for smoking or mechanical pumping, not ordinary breathing.
3 drain (money, time, energy) synonyms
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เอาเปรียบ means to take unfair advantage of someone. สูบ emphasizes the image of money, time, or energy being drained away.