อาจ
may
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 may、might、possibly
- 2 can、be able to、cannot [ไม่อาจ...ได้]
อาจ is mainly used to present something as possible rather than certain, like “may” or “might.” In more formal writing, it can also mean “can” or “be able to,” especially in negative expressions.
may、might、possibly
This sense marks an event, fact, or result as possible but not certain. อาจจะ is a very common spoken form.
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เขาอาจมาเย็นนี้ khǎw àat maa yen níi He might come this evening. เขาอาจมาเย็นนี้ details
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ฝนอาจตกพรุ่งนี้ fǒn àat tòk phrûŋníi It may rain tomorrow. ฝนอาจตกพรุ่งนี้ details
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อาจจะใช่ àat cà chây That may be right. อาจจะใช่ details
can、be able to、cannot [ไม่อาจ...ได้]
This more formal sense means “can” or “be able to.” It is especially common in ไม่อาจ...ได้, meaning “cannot” in a strong or formal way.
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of อาจ is that something is possible, not confirmed. The most important pattern is อาจ + verb/state, meaning “may” or “might.” อาจจะ is also very common and often sounds natural in conversation. In formal writing, ไม่อาจ...ได้ means “cannot” with a stronger, more serious tone. The “brave/bold” meaning is much less important for everyday Thai and is mainly useful in fixed words such as อาจหาญ.
Usage
Use it when talking cautiously about plans, weather, causes, results, risks, or anything that is not certain yet. It is common in news, explanations, business writing, and everyday conversation, especially in the form อาจจะ.
Caution
For ordinary ability, use ได้, as in พูดภาษาไทยได้ “can speak Thai.” อาจพูดภาษาไทยได้ sounds more like “may be able to speak Thai,” so it can be unnatural if you only mean simple ability.
Differences from similar words
1 may synonyms
2 can synonyms
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ได้ is the normal everyday word for “can.” อาจ sounds more formal or abstract, closer to “be possible to” or “be able to.”