ล้าง
wash
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 wash
- 2 erase、clear、eliminate
- 3 develop (film)、have photographs developed or printed
This word describes removing dirt or something unwanted to leave an object clean or cleared. It also extends to clearing data and developing photographic film.
wash
To use water, often with soap or another cleaning agent, to remove dirt or residue from something such as hands, dishes, vegetables, or a car.
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ล้างมือ láaŋ mʉʉ wash one's hands ล้างมือ details
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ช่วยล้างจานหน่อย chûay láaŋ caan nɔ̀ɔy Please wash the dishes. ช่วยล้างจานหน่อย details
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ล้างผักให้สะอาด láaŋ phàk hây sà àat Wash the vegetables thoroughly. ล้างผักให้สะอาด details
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ล้างแผลด้วยน้ำสะอาด láaŋ phlɛ̌ɛ dûay náam sà àat Clean the wound with clean water. ล้างแผลด้วยน้ำสะอาด details
erase、clear、eliminate
By extension from physical washing, it means to clear, erase, or eliminate something unwanted, such as data, debt, or suspicion.
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ล้างข้อมูลทั้งหมด láaŋ khɔ̂ɔmuun tháŋmòt erase all the data ล้างข้อมูลทั้งหมด details
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ล้างประวัติการค้นหา láaŋ prawàt kaan khón hǎa clear the search history ล้างประวัติการค้นหา details
develop (film)、have photographs developed or printed
In photography, it means to process film chemically so that the images become visible. In everyday use, it may also refer more broadly to having photographs printed.
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ล้างฟิล์ม láaŋ fim develop film ล้างฟิล์ม details
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เอารูปไปล้าง aw rûup pay láaŋ take the photos to be developed or printed เอารูปไปล้าง details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image of ล้าง is removing something unwanted that has collected or become attached to something. Its basic use is washing or rinsing with water. It normally comes before its object: ล้างมือ means “wash one’s hands,” and ล้างจาน means “wash the dishes.” Adding ออก emphasizes removal, while ให้สะอาด states that the result should be clean. The same image extends to abstract things. It is most useful to learn these uses as common combinations, such as ล้างข้อมูล “clear data” and ล้างหนี้ “pay off debt.” In photography, ล้างฟิล์ม means “develop film.”
Usage
It is extremely common in everyday situations involving washing hands, the face, dishes, vegetables, cars, or wounds. In digital contexts, it is used for clearing data or history. It also appears in established expressions involving debt, reputation, or revenge. In discussions of film photography, it means to develop film.
Caution
For ordinary washing of clothes or fabric, use ซัก rather than ล้าง. Also note that ล้างแค้น means “take revenge,” not literally “wash resentment,” and ล้างสมอง means “brainwash.” The abstract sense does not combine freely with every noun, so these uses are best learned as established expressions.
Differences from similar words
1 wash synonyms
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ชะล้าง emphasizes washing something away with flowing water and can sound more formal or descriptive. ล้าง is the ordinary everyday verb for washing.
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ซัก is mainly used for laundering clothes and other fabric. ล้าง is used for washing or rinsing hands, dishes, vegetables, and many other objects.
2 erase synonyms
3 develop (film) synonyms
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อัดรูป specifically means to print a photograph on paper. ล้าง originally refers to developing film, but in conversation it can cover having photos printed as well.