go to see (someone)
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 go to see (someone)、visit (someone)
This expression describes going somewhere for a particular person or thing. With a person, it usually means going to see them; when the target's location is unknown, it means going to look for someone or something.
go to see (someone)、visit (someone)
Describes going to where someone is in order to see or visit them.
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ฉันจะไปหาแม่ chǎn cà pay hǎa mɛ̂ɛ I'm going to see my mother. ฉันจะไปหาแม่ details
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พรุ่งนี้ไปหาหมอกัน phrûŋníi pay hǎa mɔ̌ɔ kan Let's go see the doctor tomorrow. พรุ่งนี้ไปหาหมอกัน details
Learning notes
Explanation
ไปหา combines ไป “go” with หา “visit, seek, or look for.” Its basic pattern is ไปหา followed by a person or thing. When the speaker knows where a person is and is going there to see them, it means “go to see.” This is the usual interpretation when the object is a person. When the target's location is unknown, it means “go look for.” With things, the natural English translation may sometimes be “go get,” “go buy,” or “go find,” depending on how the item will be obtained.
Usage
It is commonly used when going to see family or friends, visiting a doctor, searching for a person or object, or going out to find work, food, or something else that is needed. It is a neutral, everyday expression.
Caution
With a person, ไปหา usually means “go to see that person,” not “go search for that person.” ตามหา can make an actual search clearer. Do not add หา when merely naming a destination: ไปโรงเรียน means “go to school,” while ไปหาโรงเรียน means “go look for a school.” Use มาหา instead when the movement is toward the speaker or the current point of reference.
Differences from similar words
1 go to see (someone) synonyms
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ไปพบ also means “go to meet or see” and fits scheduled meetings or somewhat more formal situations. ไปหา is the everyday choice for going to see family, friends, a doctor, and similar people.
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ไปเยี่ยม emphasizes paying someone a visit, especially a social visit or a visit to someone who is ill. ไปหา is broader and simply indicates going to where someone is in order to see them.