มีโทษ

Explanation

The expression consists of มี, “to have,” and โทษ, “harm” or “penalty.” Its interpretation depends on the subject and context. With food, medicine, or habits, it means “to have harmful effects.” The pattern มีโทษต่อ + target means “to be harmful to” that target. คุณ means “benefit,” so มีทั้งคุณและโทษ means “to have both benefits and harmful effects.” In legal and regulatory contexts, the type of punishment follows the expression: มีโทษปรับ means “to carry a fine,” while มีโทษจำคุก means “to carry a prison sentence.”

Usage

Commonly used in health education and discussions of the adverse effects of food, medicine, smoking, or drinking. It also frequently appears in laws, news reports, regulations, and warning signs to state the penalty for a violation.

Caution

Do not automatically translate มีโทษ as “be guilty.” มีความผิด is the usual expression for guilt or fault. Also, มีโทษ can merely state that a penalty exists; use ถูกลงโทษ when referring to someone actually being punished.

1 be harmful synonyms

• มีข้อเสีย

  มีข้อเสีย means that something has a drawback or disadvantage. มีโทษ is stronger and refers to actual harm or an adverse effect rather than a mere inconvenience.

• เป็นอันตราย

  เป็นอันตราย means “be dangerous” and is widely used for immediate risks and physical danger. มีโทษ focuses more on harmful or adverse effects, especially on health.

2 be punishable synonyms

• ถูกลงโทษ

  ถูกลงโทษ means “be punished” and refers to punishment actually being imposed. มีโทษ says that an act carries a penalty; it does not necessarily mean that anyone has already been punished.

• มีความผิด

  มีความผิด describes a person as being at fault or guilty, or an act as constituting an offense. มีโทษ focuses on the penalty attached to that offense.