สบู่
soap
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 soap
This everyday word refers to soap used with water to clean the hands, face, or body. It can refer to either bar soap or liquid soap.
soap
Soap used with water for washing the hands, face, or body, without necessarily specifying whether it is solid or liquid.
Learning notes
Explanation
สบู่ is the general everyday word for soap used to wash the hands, face, or body. It is a loanword of Portuguese origin, but it is fully established in ordinary Thai. To specify the form, use สบู่ก้อน for “bar soap” and สบู่เหลว for “liquid soap.” Bars of soap are commonly counted with ก้อน: สบู่หนึ่งก้อน means “one bar of soap.” Liquid soap may be counted by its container using ขวด, “bottle.” Common patterns include ใช้สบู่ “use soap,” ล้างมือด้วยสบู่ “wash one's hands with soap,” and ฟอกสบู่ “soap up and wash.”
Usage
It is commonly used when talking about handwashing, bathing, and facial cleansing at home or in places such as hotels, hospitals, and schools. It is also used when shopping for soap or discussing its form, scent, or suitability for a particular skin type.
Caution
สบู่ does not cover cleaning products in general. Laundry detergent is called ผงซักฟอก or น้ำยาซักผ้า, and dishwashing liquid is น้ำยาล้างจาน. Shampoo is also normally treated separately and called แชมพู or ยาสระผม.