raise one’s hand
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- 1 raise one’s hand
This expression means to raise one’s hand, often to signal a wish to speak, give an answer, or show agreement.
raise one’s hand
To lift a hand, especially as a visible signal that one wants to speak, answer, vote, or agree.
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ใครรู้คำตอบ ยกมือขึ้น khray rúu khamtɔ̀ɔp yók mʉʉ khʉ̂n If you know the answer, raise your hand. ใครรู้คำตอบ ยกมือขึ้น details
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กรุณายกมือก่อนพูด karunaa yók mʉʉ kɔ̀ɔn phûut Please raise your hand before speaking. กรุณายกมือก่อนพูด details
Learning notes
Explanation
ยกมือ is formed from ยก, “to lift or raise,” and มือ, “hand.” Its central meaning is the literal action of raising a hand. It is commonly used when someone wants to answer in class, request a turn to speak, or indicate agreement in a vote. The very common form ยกมือขึ้น adds ขึ้น, “upward,” making the direction of the movement explicit. Thai nouns do not normally change form for number, so มือ may refer to one hand or both hands depending on context.
Usage
It is common in classrooms when students volunteer an answer, in meetings or discussions when someone requests a turn to speak, and in votes conducted by a show of hands. It is neutral and works in both everyday and formal settings.
Caution
ยกมือ does not normally mean “hit someone,” even though similar expressions may have that meaning in other languages. To state clearly that someone surrenders or gives up, use ยกมือยอมแพ้ or ยอมแพ้. On its own, ยกมือ normally refers simply to raising a hand.
Differences from similar words
1 raise one’s hand synonyms
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เห็นด้วย directly means “to agree” and does not imply any gesture. ยกมือ literally describes raising a hand and means showing agreement only when the context is a vote or request for a show of hands.