แซะ
dig out (with a flat tool)
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- 1 dig out (with a flat tool)、pry or scrape off
- 2 take a verbal jab at、taunt sarcastically、make a pointed remark about
This word describes using the edge of a flat tool to dig out, pry loose, or scrape off something. In informal speech, it also means taking a verbal jab at someone, often through sarcasm or a pointed remark.
dig out (with a flat tool)、pry or scrape off
To insert or work a flat-edged tool under or around something so that it can be dug out, loosened, or removed.
take a verbal jab at、taunt sarcastically、make a pointed remark about
To take a pointed verbal jab at someone, often by bringing up a weakness or failure through sarcasm, mockery, or an indirect remark.
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เขาชอบโพสต์แซะคนอื่น khǎw chɔ̂ɔp phôot sɛ́ khon ʉ̀ʉn He often makes posts taking jabs at other people. เขาชอบโพสต์แซะคนอื่น details
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อย่าแซะกันเลย yàa sɛ́ kan ləəy Let's stop taking jabs at each other. อย่าแซะกันเลย details
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กำลังแซะใครอยู่? kamlaŋ sɛ́ khray yùu Who are you taking a jab at? กำลังแซะใครอยู่? details
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เขาโดนชาวเน็ตแซะเรื่องผลงาน khǎw doon chaawnét sɛ́ rʉ̂aŋ phǒn ŋaan Netizens took jabs at him over his work. เขาโดนชาวเน็ตแซะเรื่องผลงาน details
Learning notes
Explanation
The literal image is that of working the flat edge of a spoon, chisel, spade, or similar tool under or around something to dig it out or detach it from a surface. This physical sense developed into the figurative idea of picking at someone's weakness or past mistake with words. In modern conversation and social media, แซะ is frequently used for sarcasm, insinuation, or a pointed verbal jab. Common patterns include แซะใคร “take a jab at someone,” แซะเรื่อง… “make a pointed remark about an issue,” โพสต์แซะ “post an indirect attack,” and โดนแซะ “be targeted by a sarcastic remark.”
Usage
In its literal sense, it is used when removing food from a mold, prying shellfish from a rock, or working packed dirt loose with a tool. The figurative sense is common in teasing between friends, snide exchanges, entertainment news, and indirect criticism on social media. It is especially useful for posts that do not name their target but clearly hint at a particular person.
Caution
The figurative use is informal; เหน็บแนม may be more appropriate in formal writing. Even when intended as playful teasing, แซะ can sound like a deliberate attack on a sensitive point, so use it carefully. Some dictionaries also record a specialized botanical use, but it is too uncommon to be useful for most learners.
Differences from similar words
1 dig out (with a flat tool) synonyms
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ขูด focuses on rubbing or scraping across a surface. แซะ more often involves working an edge underneath or around something to loosen or dig it out.
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งัด emphasizes forceful levering or prying. แซะ covers digging or gradually separating something from the surface to which it is attached.
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แคะ commonly means picking something out of a hole or narrow space. แซะ typically involves a flat tool used to dig something out or detach it from a surface.
2 take a verbal jab at synonyms
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ด่า means openly scolding, cursing, or insulting someone. แซะ can be indirect and sarcastic, so it does not necessarily amount to outright verbal abuse.
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เหน็บแนม is a more standard term for making ironic or insinuating remarks and is also suitable in writing. แซะ is more colloquial and often suggests poking at someone's weakness.