panic (as a crowd)
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 panic (as a crowd)、stampede、flock excitedly
Describes people collectively losing their composure and reacting in a rush, whether from fear, excitement, or curiosity.
panic (as a crowd)、stampede、flock excitedly
Describes a crowd becoming suddenly alarmed or excited and reacting chaotically, sometimes by rushing toward or away from something.
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อย่าแตกตื่น yàa tɛ̀ɛktʉ̀ʉn Don't panic. อย่าแตกตื่น details
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ประชาชนแตกตื่นเมื่อได้ยินเสียงระเบิด prachaachon tɛ̀ɛktʉ̀ʉn mʉ̂a dây yin sǐaŋ rabə̀ət The public panicked when they heard the explosion. ประชาชนแตกตื่นเมื่อได้ยินเสียงระเบิด details
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ข่าวลือทำให้คนแตกตื่น khàaw lʉʉ tham hây khon tɛ̀ɛktʉ̀ʉn The rumor caused people to panic. ข่าวลือทำให้คนแตกตื่น details
Learning notes
Explanation
แตกตื่น is a common verb describing people suddenly losing their composure and reacting together in a disorderly way. It often occurs with collective subjects such as คน “people,” ประชาชน “the public,” or ชาวบ้าน “local residents.” Fear is not always involved. The word can describe panic caused by danger or rumors, but it can also refer to crowds excitedly gathering to see something unusual. Common patterns include อย่าแตกตื่น “don’t panic,” ทำให้คนแตกตื่น “cause people to panic,” and แตกตื่นไปดู… “excitedly rush to see….”
Usage
It is commonly used when crowds panic during disasters, fires, explosions, accidents, evacuations, or health scares, and when rumors trigger behavior such as panic buying. It can also describe people flocking to see a celebrity or an unusual event. The word is frequent in news reports and public warnings.
Caution
For a person who is merely startled for a moment, ตกใจ is usually more appropriate. แตกตื่น strongly suggests losing composure and reacting chaotically, so it can sound exaggerated when used for a minor surprise.
Differences from similar words
1 panic (as a crowd) synonyms
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ตกใจ means to be startled or frightened and is commonly used for an individual's immediate reaction. แตกตื่น suggests that alarm or excitement has developed into chaotic action, especially among a group.
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ตื่นตระหนก is a more formal and serious expression for becoming panic-stricken. แตกตื่น is broader and can also describe commotion caused by excitement or curiosity rather than fear.