เพ่ง
stare intently
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 stare intently、gaze with concentration、focus one's attention
It describes fixing your eyes or attention on something and concentrating closely on it.
stare intently、gaze with concentration、focus one's attention
To look at something with sustained concentration, or more broadly, to direct focused attention toward it.
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of เพ่ง is sustained, deliberate focus. It is stronger than simply looking: the person makes an effort to see something in darkness, read small details, or examine an object closely. It can stand alone but often appears in combinations such as เพ่งมอง and เพ่งดู, both of which emphasize concentrated looking. Depending on the context, it can also refer more broadly to directing one's mind or attention toward a single object.
Usage
It is commonly used when trying to make something out in darkness or at a distance, reading small print, or closely inspecting an image, screen, or document. It can also occur in contexts involving intense mental focus.
Caution
For ordinary looking or watching, ดู or มอง is usually more natural. เพ่ง implies effort and concentration, so it can sound unnecessarily intense for casually watching television or looking at scenery. Also note that เพ่งเล็ง is a lexicalized combination meaning to target or single someone or something out for special attention.
Differences from similar words
1 stare intently synonyms
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จ้อง means to keep one's eyes fixed on something and can sound confrontational or intrusive when directed at a person. เพ่ง emphasizes concentrating one's vision to make something out or inspect it closely.
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มอง is the ordinary, broadly applicable verb for looking. เพ่ง specifically suggests making an effort to focus one's eyes or attention on a particular object.