เข้ม
dark (in color)
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 dark (in color)、deep (in color)
- 2 strong (in flavor)、concentrated
- 3 stern、strict、rigorous
Describes a quality that is strongly pronounced rather than light, weak, or mild. Depending on the context, it can mean dark, strong, concentrated, stern, or strict.
dark (in color)、deep (in color)
Describes a color or complexion as deep or dark rather than light or pale.
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สีน้ำเงินเข้ม sǐi náamŋən khêm dark blue สีน้ำเงินเข้ม details
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ฉันชอบสีเข้ม chǎn chɔ̂ɔp sǐi khêm I like dark colors. ฉันชอบสีเข้ม details
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ผิวบริเวณแขนเข้มกว่าส่วนอื่น phǐw bɔɔríween khɛ̌ɛn khêm kwàa sùan ʉ̀ʉn The skin on the arms is darker than on other parts of the body. ผิวบริเวณแขนเข้มกว่าส่วนอื่น details
strong (in flavor)、concentrated
Describes a flavor, drink, or substance as strong or concentrated rather than weak or diluted.
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ขอกาแฟเข้ม ๆ แก้วหนึ่ง khɔ̌ɔ kaafɛɛ khêm khêm kɛ̂ɛw nʉ̀ŋ I'd like a cup of strong coffee. ขอกาแฟเข้ม ๆ แก้วหนึ่ง details
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ชงชาให้เข้มหน่อย choŋ chaa hây khêm nɔ̀ɔy Please make the tea a little stronger. ชงชาให้เข้มหน่อย details
stern、strict、rigorous
Describes a voice, expression, attitude, inspection, or measure as stern, forceful, or strict.
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เขาพูดด้วยเสียงเข้ม khǎw phûut dûay sǐaŋ khêm He spoke in a stern voice. เขาพูดด้วยเสียงเข้ม details
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เจ้าหน้าที่ตรวจเข้มที่สนามบิน câwnâathîi trùat khêm thîi sanǎambin Officials are conducting strict checks at the airport. เจ้าหน้าที่ตรวจเข้มที่สนามบิน details
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รัฐบาลออกมาตรการเข้ม rátthabaan ɔ̀ɔk mâattrakaan khêm The government introduced strict measures. รัฐบาลออกมาตรการเข้ม details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea is that a quality is clearly pronounced rather than light, weak, or mild. After a color name, it indicates a deeper shade, as in สีน้ำเงินเข้ม, “dark blue.” Its common opposite is อ่อน: สีอ่อน means “a light color,” and กาแฟอ่อน means “weak coffee.” Useful forms include เข้มขึ้น, “become stronger or darker,” เข้มกว่า, “stronger or darker,” and เข้มเกินไป, “too strong or dark.” In the sense of strictness, it is especially common in established combinations such as เสียงเข้ม, “a stern voice,” and ตรวจเข้ม, “conduct strict checks.”
Usage
It is common when choosing colors for clothing or products, ordering strong coffee or tea, and describing strongly flavored food. It is also used for stern voices or expressions, tight security checks, and strict measures imposed by governments or organizations.
Caution
เข้ม is not used for every sense of “strong” or “thick.” Use ข้น for a thick or viscous liquid and เข้มงวด when specifically describing strict enforcement of rules or discipline. แรง is often more natural for strong sunlight, smells, pain, and other kinds of force or intensity. Do not confuse เข้ม with เข็ม, the separate word for a needle or clock hand.
Differences from similar words
1 dark (in color) synonyms
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แก่ can also mean “deep” when placed after certain color names, but its use is more limited. เข้ม is the more broadly useful word for dark or deep colors and complexions.
2 strong (in flavor) synonyms
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ข้น describes a liquid as thick or viscous. เข้ม refers mainly to strength of flavor or concentration and does not necessarily imply a thick texture.
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จัด emphasizes a sharply pronounced taste or sensation and is common with spiciness or saltiness. เข้ม focuses more generally on a drink or flavor being full-strength rather than weak.
3 stern synonyms
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รุนแรง describes something violent, severe, or damaging, such as an attack, impact, or symptom. เข้ม conveys firmness or strictness and does not normally suggest violence.
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เข้มงวด specifically describes strict enforcement of rules, discipline, or control. เข้ม is broader and can also describe a stern voice or expression and rigorous checks or measures.