อวบ
plump
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 plump、chubby、fleshy
Describes someone or something as having a soft, full, rounded shape. It commonly means “plump” for a person and “thick and fleshy” for plant parts.
plump、chubby、fleshy
Describes a person or body part as softly rounded and fleshy rather than thin.
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เธอเป็นคนอวบ thəə pen khon ùap She has a plump figure. เธอเป็นคนอวบ details
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เด็กคนนี้แก้มอวบ dèk khon níi kɛ̂ɛm ùap This child has chubby cheeks. เด็กคนนี้แก้มอวบ details
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เขาอวบขึ้นนิดหน่อย khǎw ùap khʉ̂n nít nɔ̀ɔy He has put on a little weight. เขาอวบขึ้นนิดหน่อย details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image of อวบ is soft fullness or rounded thickness rather than thinness or flatness. For people, it describes a figure that is not thin and has noticeable flesh. It generally sounds softer than อ้วน and may have a cute or healthy connotation when used for a baby’s cheeks, for example. Thai adjectives can function directly as predicates, so เธออวบ means “She is plump,” while แก้มอวบ means “plump cheeks.” The pattern อวบขึ้น indicates becoming plumper or gaining some weight. For plants, it describes leaves, shoots, or similar parts that are thick, fleshy, and well supplied with moisture.
Usage
It is common in everyday conversation when describing a person’s build or the fullness of cheeks, arms, and other body parts. It is especially natural for a baby’s or child’s plump cheeks. In gardening and plant descriptions, it can refer to thick, fleshy leaves or healthy, well-developed shoots.
Caution
Although it is gentler than อ้วน, it still comments on someone’s body shape and may be unwelcome when said directly to that person. Consider the relationship and context. It does not simply mean “big.” Use it when there is a sense of fleshiness, thickness, or rounded fullness.
Differences from similar words
1 plump synonyms
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ท้วม is a restrained term meaning “stout” or “on the heavy side,” especially for an adult’s build. อวบ can also describe cheeks or arms and emphasizes soft roundness.
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อ้วน directly means “fat” or “overweight.” อวบ is usually softer and often suggests moderate, rounded fullness.
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เจ้าเนื้อ is an indirect way to describe a person as full-figured. อวบ is more compact and can describe either the whole figure or an individual body part.