โขลง
herd of elephants
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- 1 herd of elephants
- 2 herd [classifier for groups of elephants]
This word refers specifically to a herd of elephants. It can also serve as the classifier used when counting elephant herds.
herd of elephants
A group of elephants living or moving together as a herd.
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โขลงช้างกำลังข้ามถนน khlǒoŋ cháaŋ kamlaŋ khâam thanǒn A herd of elephants is crossing the road. โขลงช้างกำลังข้ามถนน details
herd [classifier for groups of elephants]
A classifier for counting whole herds of elephants rather than individual animals.
Learning notes
Explanation
โขลง is a group word used specifically for elephants. It normally suggests an organized herd that lives or travels together, rather than several elephants that merely happen to be in the same place. โขลงช้าง means “a herd of elephants,” while ช้างทั้งโขลง refers to “the entire herd.” In a phrase such as ช้างหนึ่งโขลง, it functions as the classifier for one whole herd.
Usage
It commonly appears in wildlife reports, nature programs, news stories, and discussions of wild elephants entering villages or farmland. โขลงช้างป่า, meaning “a herd of wild elephants,” is an especially common combination.
Caution
Do not normally use โขลง for groups of people or animals other than elephants; ฝูง is the usual general alternative. Also, ช้างสามโขลง means “three herds of elephants,” not “three elephants.”
Differences from similar words
1 herd of elephants synonyms
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ฝูง is a general word for groups of animals, birds, or fish. In contrast, โขลง is used specifically for a herd of elephants.