นักสืบ
detective
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- 1 detective
A person who investigates cases and uncovers facts by following clues and gathering evidence.
detective
A detective who investigates crimes or mysteries, either privately or as part of the police.
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นักสืบกำลังหาหลักฐาน náksʉ̀ʉp kamlaŋ hǎa làkthǎan The detective is looking for evidence. นักสืบกำลังหาหลักฐาน details
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เธอจ้างนักสืบเอกชนสืบเรื่องชู้ thəə câaŋ náksʉ̀ʉp èekkachon sʉ̀ʉp rʉ̂aŋ chúu She hired a private detective to investigate an affair. เธอจ้างนักสืบเอกชนสืบเรื่องชู้ details
Learning notes
Explanation
นัก denotes someone engaged in a profession or activity, and สืบ here means to investigate or trace information. Together, they describe someone who follows clues to uncover facts. This is a neutral, everyday word used for both real detectives and fictional characters. นักสืบเอกชน specifically means a private detective. The usual classifier is คน: นักสืบสองคน means “two detectives,” and นักสืบคนนี้ means “this detective.”
Usage
Common when discussing detectives in mystery novels, films, and TV shows, as well as detective work and hiring a private investigator.
Caution
นักสืบ does not by itself establish that someone is a police officer. It is also not a general term for researchers or people conducting surveys.
Differences from similar words
1 detective synonyms
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สายสืบ often refers to an undercover investigator or informant, especially in police work. นักสืบ is the broader word for a detective and does not necessarily imply undercover activity.