เดา
guess
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 guess、estimate、conjecture
It means to form an answer without knowing for certain, using limited clues, experience, or intuition.
guess、estimate、conjecture
To give or form an answer about something uncertain when there is not enough information to know for sure.
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ลองเดาดูสิ lɔɔŋ daw duu sì Take a guess. ลองเดาดูสิ details
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เดาถูกไหม daw thùuk mǎy Did I guess correctly? เดาถูกไหม details
Learning notes
Explanation
เดา is an everyday verb used when someone does not know the answer for certain and relies on clues, experience, or intuition. เดาว่า followed by a clause means “to guess that…,” เดาถูก means to guess correctly, เดาผิด means to guess incorrectly, and เดาไม่ออก means to be unable to figure something out. It can apply to answers, facts, future events, and other people's unspoken thoughts.
Usage
It is common when guessing quiz answers, ages, prices, or reasons, making an informal prediction, or trying to work out what another person is thinking or feeling.
Caution
In situations that require reliable information, เดา can suggest that the answer lacks sufficient evidence. Use คิดว่า for a general opinion or belief, and คาดการณ์ for a more formal, evidence-based forecast.
Differences from similar words
1 guess synonyms
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คาดการณ์ is a somewhat formal word for forecasting future developments from data or circumstances. เดา is more everyday and often implies less supporting evidence.
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คิดว่า is the general expression for thinking or believing something. เดา more clearly signals that the speaker does not know and is making a guess.
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ทาย focuses more on trying to get an answer, outcome, or fortune right. เดา more broadly describes forming a guess when information is incomplete.