ตั้ง
place
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 place、set、stand up、install、be located
- 2 establish、found、set up、form、organize
- 3 set、adjust
- 4 as many as、as much as、up to [emphasis]
- 5 stack [classifier]、pile [classifier]
ตั้ง has the core idea of setting something into a position, state, or role. It can mean to place, set up, establish, set a value or goal, name something, appoint someone, or emphasize a large quantity, depending on the context.
place、set、stand up、install、be located
This means to put or set something in a chosen place or position, often with a sense of arranging it so it stands, sits, or functions properly.
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ตั้งโต๊ะไว้ตรงนี้ tâŋ tó wáy troŋ níi Put the table here. ตั้งโต๊ะไว้ตรงนี้ details
establish、found、set up、form、organize
This means to create or set up an organization, business, institution, camp, or system so that it begins to exist.
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เขาตั้งบริษัทเมื่อปีที่แล้ว khǎw tâŋ bɔɔrisàt mʉ̂a pii thîi lɛ́ɛw He founded a company last year. เขาตั้งบริษัทเมื่อปีที่แล้ว details
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ตั้งร้านกาแฟเล็ก ๆ tâŋ ráan kaafɛɛ lék lék Open a small cafe. ตั้งร้านกาแฟเล็ก ๆ details
set、adjust
This means to set, fix, or determine a time, price, goal, rule, condition, or setting.
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ตั้งเวลาไว้เจ็ดโมง tâŋ weelaa wáy cèt mooŋ Set the time for seven o'clock. ตั้งเวลาไว้เจ็ดโมง details
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ตั้งเป้าหมาย tâŋ pâw mǎay set a goal ตั้งเป้าหมาย details
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ตั้งราคาแพงเกินไป tâŋ raakhaa phɛɛŋ kəən pay set the price too high ตั้งราคาแพงเกินไป details
as many as、as much as、up to [emphasis]
This emphasizes that a number, amount, price, or length of time feels large or surprising to the speaker, like “as many as” or “as much as.”
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ราคาแพงตั้งพันบาท raakhaa phɛɛŋ tâŋ phan bàat It costs as much as 1,000 baht. ราคาแพงตั้งพันบาท details
stack [classifier]、pile [classifier]
This is a classifier for piles or stacks of things, such as books, papers, or objects placed on top of one another.
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หนังสือหลายตั้ง nǎŋsʉ̌ʉ lǎay tâŋ several stacks of books หนังสือหลายตั้ง details
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จัดเอกสารเป็นตั้ง ๆ càt èekkàsǎan pen tâŋ tâŋ sort the documents into stacks จัดเอกสารเป็นตั้ง ๆ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of ตั้ง is setting something upright, in place, or into a defined state. With physical objects, it can mean to place, set up, install, or be located. With abstract things, it extends naturally to setting a time, price, goal, rule, name, question, or role. Many common expressions are best learned as chunks: ตั้งชื่อ “name,” ตั้งคำถาม “pose a question,” ตั้งเป้าหมาย “set a goal,” ตั้งเวลา “set the time,” ตั้งอยู่ “be located,” and ตั้งใจ “intend, focus, try hard.” Before a number, ตั้ง adds emphasis, showing the speaker feels the amount is large or surprising.
Usage
ตั้ง is used across everyday conversation, school, work, and news. You hear it when placing or installing things, starting a business or organization, setting alarms or values, setting goals and prices, naming things, posing questions, and appointing people to roles.
Caution
Do not memorize ตั้ง only as “put.” For casually putting something down, วาง is often more natural. ตั้ง tends to involve setting a position, state, role, or standard. Also learn ตั้งแต่ as a fixed expression meaning “from” or “since,” rather than trying to translate its parts separately.
Differences from similar words
1 place synonyms
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วาง is the general verb for putting something down. ตั้ง suggests setting something in a specific position, upright state, or usable arrangement.
2 establish synonyms
3 set synonyms
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กำหนด means to determine or specify and often sounds more formal. ตั้ง is very common in practical combinations such as setting a time, price, or goal.