clench one's fist
Native recording
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- 1 clench one's fist、make a fist
- 2 fist、closed hand
- 3 handful [rough measure]
This word refers to closing the hand into a fist, the closed fist itself, or the rough amount that can be held in one closed hand.
clench one's fist、make a fist
Describes closing the fingers into the palm to make a fist.
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กำมือแน่น kam mʉʉ nɛ̂n clench one's fist tightly กำมือแน่น details
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ลองกำมือแล้วแบมือ lɔɔŋ kam mʉʉ lɛ́ɛw bɛɛ mʉʉ Try making a fist and then opening your hand. ลองกำมือแล้วแบมือ details
fist、closed hand
Refers to a hand with the fingers closed into the palm—a fist.
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ชูกำมือขึ้น chuu kam mʉʉ khʉ̂n raise one's fist ชูกำมือขึ้น details
handful [rough measure]
Indicates an approximate amount that can be held in one closed hand.
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ข้าวสารหนึ่งกำมือ khâaw sǎan nʉ̀ŋ kam mʉʉ a handful of rice ข้าวสารหนึ่งกำมือ details
Learning notes
Explanation
กำมือ is formed from กำ, “to grasp or clench,” and มือ, “hand.” As a verb, it describes curling the fingers inward and closing the hand. Adding แน่น, as in กำมือแน่น, means to clench the fist tightly and may suggest anger, tension, pain, or determination. As a noun, it refers to the closed hand itself. In expressions such as ในกำมือ and อยู่ในกำมือ, it is used figuratively for something being within a person's grasp or under their control. It also serves as a rough measure for rice, beans, seeds, and similar items. หนึ่งกำมือ means “one handful,” but it is not an exact unit of measurement.
Usage
It is used in exercise or medical instructions involving opening and closing the hand, and when describing someone clenching a fist from anger, tension, or determination. It also appears in cooking and agricultural contexts as an informal measure for items such as rice, beans, and seeds. Figuratively, it is used when a person has control over someone or something.
Caution
To say that someone is gripping an object, กำ is normally followed directly by that object, as in กำดินสอ, “grip a pencil.” A handshake is จับมือ, and striking someone with a fist is ชก. Also, ในกำมือ suggests control or dominance; it does not simply mean that something is nearby or in one's possession.
Differences from similar words
1 clench one's fist synonyms
2 fist synonyms
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หมัด can mean either a fist or a punch delivered with it. กำมือ refers to the closed hand itself, not the blow.
3 handful [rough measure] synonyms
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กำ is also commonly used as a measure meaning “handful.” กำมือ makes the image of an amount held in a closed hand more explicit.