ส่อง
shine (light on something)
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 shine (light on something)、illuminate、shine (of light)
- 2 peer into or through、look in a mirror、observe through an optical instrument、examine with a medical instrument
- 3 browse someone’s social media、check out someone’s posts
This verb describes directing light or focused attention toward something, either to illuminate it or examine it closely. It is also used informally for browsing someone’s social media.
shine (light on something)、illuminate、shine (of light)
Describes directing light onto a place or object, or light shining into or onto something.
peer into or through、look in a mirror、observe through an optical instrument、examine with a medical instrument
Describes looking closely at or into something, often through a mirror, opening, optical device, or medical instrument.
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นักท่องเที่ยวกำลังส่องกล้องดูนก nák thɔ̂ɔŋ thîaw kamlaŋ sɔ̀ɔŋ klɔ̂ɔŋ duu nók The tourist is watching birds through binoculars. นักท่องเที่ยวกำลังส่องกล้องดูนก details
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หมอจะส่องกล้องตรวจกระเพาะอาหาร mɔ̌ɔ cà sɔ̀ɔŋ klɔ̂ɔŋ trùat kraphɔ́ aahǎan The doctor will examine the stomach with an endoscope. หมอจะส่องกล้องตรวจกระเพาะอาหาร details
browse someone’s social media、check out someone’s posts
An informal use meaning to browse someone’s social-media profile and posts, often out of curiosity.
Learning notes
Explanation
The core image of ส่อง is directing light or focused vision toward a particular target. With ไฟ or ไฟฉาย, it means to shine a light on something. When light itself is the subject, it describes light shining or streaming in. ส่องกระจก means looking at oneself or something reflected in a mirror, rather than simply viewing the mirror as an object. The meaning of ส่องกล้อง depends on the instrument referred to by กล้อง. It can describe looking through binoculars, a telescope, or a microscope, as well as undergoing or performing an endoscopic examination. Its social-media sense developed from the idea of peering into something and examining it closely. This use is modern and informal.
Usage
It is commonly used when shining a flashlight into a dark place, describing sunlight entering a room, or checking one’s appearance in a mirror. It also appears in discussions of observation through binoculars or microscopes and examinations using an endoscope. In casual conversation and online writing, it can refer to browsing someone’s social-media profile or older posts.
Caution
Use ดู for the general act of looking at or watching something. ส่อง implies directing light or focused attention at a target, peering through something, or examining it closely, so it is not normally used for simply watching television or a movie. The social-media sense is informal and can sometimes suggest snooping or quietly monitoring someone. Use it cautiously in formal contexts or when speaking directly to the person whose account is being viewed.
Differences from similar words
1 shine (light on something) synonyms
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ฉาย emphasizes projecting light or an image and is also used for showing a film. ส่อง more broadly describes directing light at a target or light shining onto or into a place.
2 peer into or through synonyms
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ดู is the general verb for looking at or watching something. ส่อง suggests focused observation, often through a mirror, lens, opening, or specialized instrument.
3 browse someone’s social media synonyms
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เช็ก is a broad informal verb meaning to check or verify something. On social media, ส่อง suggests browsing through another person’s profile or posts out of curiosity.