เหงา
lonely
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 lonely、lonesome、lonely-looking
Describes the loneliness or emptiness felt when companionship, connection, or liveliness is missing. It can refer both to a person's feelings and to the lonely mood of a place or creative work.
lonely、lonesome、lonely-looking
Describes feeling lonely, or the lonely, empty mood of a place, atmosphere, song, image, or similar subject.
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อยู่คนเดียวแล้วเหงา yùu khon diaw lɛ́ɛw ŋǎw I feel lonely when I'm alone. อยู่คนเดียวแล้วเหงา details
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บรรยากาศเหงา ๆ banyaakàat ŋǎw ŋǎw A somewhat lonely atmosphere. บรรยากาศเหงา ๆ details
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เพลงนี้ฟังแล้วเหงา phleeŋ níi faŋ lɛ́ɛw ŋǎw This song makes me feel lonely. เพลงนี้ฟังแล้วเหงา details
Learning notes
Explanation
At its core, เหงา conveys a sense of loneliness or emptiness caused by missing companionship, emotional connection, or liveliness. When describing a person's feelings, it can serve directly as the predicate, as in ฉันเหงา (“I feel lonely”); no separate verb meaning “be” is needed. It can also describe places, times, atmospheres, songs, or images that feel empty, deserted, or emotionally lonely. The repeated form เหงา ๆ softens the expression, giving the sense of “a little lonely” or “somewhat lonely-looking.”
Usage
Commonly used when someone is alone and wants company, is separated from family or a partner, or feels isolated in an unfamiliar place. It also naturally describes the mood of an empty shop, a deserted street at night, a quiet town, or a wistful song or image.
Caution
It does not simply mean “quiet.” Use เงียบ for objective silence; use เหงา when that silence or lack of people creates a lonely feeling. For missing a particular person, คิดถึง is more precise, while เศร้า is used for sadness caused by an upsetting event or situation.
Differences from similar words
1 lonely synonyms
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เปล่าเปลี่ยว emphasizes a solitary, desolate feeling and is somewhat more literary. เหงา is the ordinary everyday word and applies broadly to both personal feelings and lonely atmospheres.
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เศร้า means “sad” and commonly reflects unhappiness caused by a painful event or situation. เหงา focuses on loneliness caused by a lack of company or emotional connection.