ดุ

Explanation

The core image of ดุ is strength or severity that makes others feel wary or intimidated. For people, it describes a stern manner or temperament, as in ครูดุ, “a strict, intimidating teacher.” For animals—especially dogs—it suggests aggression and possible danger. หน้าดุ describes an intimidating facial appearance, not necessarily the person's true character. As a verb, ดุ takes the person being scolded directly after it, as in ดุลูก, “scold a child.” ถูกครูดุ means “be scolded by a teacher.”

Usage

It is especially common when talking about parents scolding children, stern teachers or authority figures, and aggressive dogs. It is an ordinary word used widely in everyday conversation.

Caution

ดุ is not the same as โกรธ, “angry.” โกรธ describes a current emotion, while ดุ describes a stern or intimidating disposition or the act of scolding. Telling someone คุณดุ directly may sound critical, like saying that they are scary or too harsh.

1 scold synonyms

• ตำหนิ

  tamnì criticize

  ตำหนิ is a somewhat more formal verb for criticizing or finding fault. ดุ is an everyday word that highlights the stern manner of the scolding.

• เตือน

  tʉan warn

  เตือน means to warn or remind someone and can be gentle. ดุ means to scold them with a noticeably firm manner.

2 stern synonyms

• เข้มงวด

  เข้มงวด means strict about rules or standards. ดุ places more emphasis on an intimidating manner or temperament.

• โกรธ

  kròot be angry

  โกรธ describes being angry at a particular time. ดุ can describe a generally stern, intimidating, or fierce disposition.