ส้อม
fork
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 fork
This everyday word refers to a table fork, the utensil with several pointed tines used to spear or hold food.
fork
A fork used at the table to spear or hold food, or to push food onto a spoon.
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กินสปาเกตตี้ด้วยส้อม kin sapaakèettîi dûay sɔ̂ɔm Eat spaghetti with a fork. กินสปาเกตตี้ด้วยส้อม details
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ใช้ส้อมจิ้มผลไม้ cháy sɔ̂ɔm cîm phǒnlamáay use a fork to spear fruit ใช้ส้อมจิ้มผลไม้ details
Learning notes
Explanation
On its own, ส้อม normally means a table fork. In Thai-style dining, the spoon is often the main utensil, while the fork is used to push food onto the spoon. To describe using a fork as a tool, ด้วยส้อม can be added, as in กินด้วยส้อม (“eat with a fork”). The usual classifier for a table fork is คัน, so “one fork” is ส้อมหนึ่งคัน. Some dictionaries also record specialized meanings involving fishing implements or sharpening something into a point, but these are not central for most present-day learners.
Usage
It is commonly used at home and in restaurants when asking for, setting out, or washing a fork, and when talking about eating foods such as pasta, fruit, or cake with one.
Caution
Do not confuse ส้อม with ช้อน (“spoon”) or มีด (“knife”). The compound ช้อนส้อม literally means “spoons and forks,” but it may also refer more generally to table cutlery.