สงสัย
wonder about
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 wonder about、doubt、suspect (someone)
- 2 apparently、probably、I guess
This word expresses uncertainty that leads someone to wonder, doubt, or suspect. It can also introduce a tentative conclusion based on the situation, much like “apparently” or “probably.”
wonder about、doubt、suspect (someone)
Expresses having a question about something, doubting whether something is true, or suspecting that someone may be involved.
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มีอะไรสงสัยไหม mii aray sǒŋsǎy mǎy Is there anything you’re unsure about? มีอะไรสงสัยไหม details
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ตำรวจสงสัยผู้ชายคนนั้น tamrùat sǒŋsǎy phûu chaay khon nán The police suspect that man. ตำรวจสงสัยผู้ชายคนนั้น details
apparently、probably、I guess
Introduces a tentative guess based on circumstances or available clues, often implying “apparently” or “I guess.”
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สงสัยเขาจะไม่มา sǒŋsǎy khǎw cà mây maa It looks like he probably isn’t coming. สงสัยเขาจะไม่มา details
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สงสัยฝนจะตก sǒŋsǎy fǒn cà tòk It looks like it’s going to rain. สงสัยฝนจะตก details
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สงสัยเขาจะลืมนัด sǒŋsǎy khǎw cà lʉʉm nát I guess he forgot the appointment. สงสัยเขาจะลืมนัด details
Learning notes
Explanation
At its core, สงสัย describes a feeling that the answer or the facts are still unclear. สงสัยว่า followed by a clause commonly means “wonder whether/why….” When a person directly follows สงสัย, it often means that the person is suspected of involvement. สงสัยใน followed by a noun expresses doubt about something such as behavior, an explanation, or evidence. In conversation, it can also introduce an inference, often in the pattern สงสัย…จะ…, meaning that the situation apparently points to a certain conclusion.
Usage
It is common when raising a question, expressing doubts about a statement, action, or piece of evidence, or suspecting a person of involvement. In everyday conversation, it is also used to make an inference from circumstances—for example, when someone has not arrived or the sky looks like rain.
Caution
สงสัยว่า… normally means “wonder whether/why…,” but placing a person directly after สงสัย can strongly imply suspicion of wrongdoing. For neutral curiosity, อยากรู้ (“want to know”) may be more appropriate. The inferential use should describe an uncertain conclusion, not an established fact.
Differences from similar words
1 wonder about synonyms
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กังขา is a more formal word for having doubts or reservations and is less common in everyday conversation. สงสัย is the usual general-purpose word for wondering, doubting, or suspecting.
2 apparently synonyms
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คงจะ also marks a probable conclusion and works in a wider range of contexts. สงสัย more often sounds like the speaker has noticed something and is drawing a tentative conclusion from it.
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อาจจะ neutrally presents something as possible: “may” or “might.” สงสัย more strongly suggests a tentative conclusion drawn from the circumstances.