สาระ

Explanation

The central idea of สาระ is substance rather than outward form. It can refer to the essential content or essence of something, as well as the meaningful value contained in it. It is a noun, but it frequently appears in expressions such as มีสาระ “to have substance; to be informative,” ไม่มีสาระ “to have no substance; to be pointless,” and ไร้สาระ “nonsensical; ridiculous.” The word is of Pali-Sanskrit origin but is well established in modern everyday Thai.

Usage

It is used when discussing the key content of articles, books, speeches, or meetings, and when judging whether a program, conversation, or activity is meaningful or worthwhile. It also appears in educational and official expressions such as สาระการเรียนรู้ “learning content.”

Caution

For the neutral overall content of a text, video, or similar material, เนื้อหา may be more natural. Be careful when applying ไม่มีสาระ or ไร้สาระ to what someone says, since these expressions can sound dismissive or insulting.

1 substance synonyms

• เนื้อหา

  เนื้อหา neutrally refers to the overall content of a text, video, or other material. สาระ places more emphasis on its substantial or important part.

• ใจความ

  ใจความ is the central message or gist of a statement or text. สาระ is broader and can also refer to substantial content or the essence of a subject.

2 meaningfulness synonyms

• ประโยชน์

  ประโยชน์ means a practical benefit or advantage. สาระ focuses on the meaningful or worthwhile substance contained in a discussion, work, or activity.