โดย
by
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 by、by means of、via
- 2 in a ... manner、with、without doing [โดยไม่...]
- 3 based on、by [criterion]、according to
- 4 generally [โดยทั่วไป]、especially [โดยเฉพาะ]、overall [โดยรวม]、directly [โดยตรง]
โดย marks the route, means, agent, manner, or basis through which something happens or is understood. It often corresponds to “by,” “via,” “by means of,” or “in a certain way,” and is common in formal, written, and explanatory Thai.
by、by means of、via
Marks the agent, means, channel, or route by which an action is done. It is common with passive-like expressions, transportation, and communication methods.
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ส่งเอกสารโดยอีเมล sòŋ èekkasǎan dooy iimeen Send the documents by email. ส่งเอกสารโดยอีเมล details
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เดินทางโดยรถไฟ dəən thaaŋ dooy rót fay Travel by train. เดินทางโดยรถไฟ details
in a ... manner、with、without doing [โดยไม่...]
Introduces the manner, state, or condition in which an action happens. The pattern โดยไม่... is especially important and means “without doing...”
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กรุณาตอบโดยสุภาพ karunaa tɔ̀ɔp dooy sùphâap Please answer politely. กรุณาตอบโดยสุภาพ details
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เขาทำงานโดยไม่พัก khǎw tham ŋaan dooy mây phák He worked without taking a break. เขาทำงานโดยไม่พัก details
based on、by [criterion]、according to
Marks the criterion, basis, or point of view used for sorting, classifying, judging, or explaining something.
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จัดเรียงโดยราคา càt riaŋ dooy raakhaa Sort by price. จัดเรียงโดยราคา details
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แบ่งกลุ่มโดยอายุ bɛ̀ŋ klùm dooy aayú Divide into groups by age. แบ่งกลุ่มโดยอายุ details
generally [โดยทั่วไป]、especially [โดยเฉพาะ]、overall [โดยรวม]、directly [โดยตรง]
โดย often forms fixed adverbial expressions with another word. These are best learned as set phrases rather than translated word by word.
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ติดต่อฉันโดยตรง tìt tɔ̀ɔ chǎn dooy troŋ Contact me directly. ติดต่อฉันโดยตรง details
Learning notes
Explanation
โดย is less about a single fixed translation and more about linking an action, state, or judgment to the agent, means, manner, or basis behind it. It is especially common in written Thai, news, announcements, business communication, and explanations. In everyday speech, fixed expressions such as โดยเฉพาะ, โดยทั่วไป, and โดยตรง are very common.
Usage
Use โดย when stating transportation or communication methods, identifying who performed or produced something, giving criteria in reports or settings, or using common adverbial phrases like “especially,” “generally,” and “directly.”
Caution
Do not use โดย for every English “by” or “with.” For physical tools, ด้วย is often more natural; for “with a friend,” use กับ, not โดย. โดย also does not mark location, such as “at school.”
Differences from similar words
1 by synonyms
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ด้วย also marks means and is often more natural in everyday speech, especially with tools or methods. โดย sounds more formal and is common in writing, notices, and explanations.
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ทาง emphasizes a channel, route, or medium, such as through an office or platform. โดย is broader and can also mark means or the person who performed an action.
2 in a ... manner synonyms
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อย่าง is the common everyday way to form manner expressions like “politely” or “quickly.” โดย often sounds more formal and combines well with abstract nouns or negative clauses.
3 based on synonyms
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ตาม strongly means “according to” or “following” a rule, order, or instruction. โดย is often used to mark a criterion for classification, sorting, or evaluation.