ถู
rub
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 rub、graze against
- 2 scrub、wipe、polish、mop
ถู describes rubbing something against a surface. In everyday use it also covers cleaning by rubbing, such as scrubbing, wiping, polishing, or mopping.
rub、graze against
This sense refers to the physical action of rubbing one surface against another.
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ถูมือ thǔu mʉʉ rub one's hands ถูมือ details
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อย่าถูตา yàa thǔu taa Don't rub your eyes. อย่าถูตา details
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เสื้อถูกับผิว sʉ̂a thǔu kàp phǐw The shirt rubs against the skin. เสื้อถูกับผิว details
scrub、wipe、polish、mop
This sense means cleaning a surface by rubbing it with a cloth, sponge, brush, mop, or similar tool.
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ถูพื้น thǔu phʉ́ʉn mop the floor ถูพื้น details
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ถูโต๊ะให้สะอาด thǔu tó hây sà àat wipe the table clean ถูโต๊ะให้สะอาด details
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ถูตัว thǔu tua scrub one's body ถูตัว details
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ถูพื้นด้วยผ้าม็อบ thǔu phʉ́ʉn dûay phâa mɔ́p mop the floor with a mop ถูพื้นด้วยผ้าม็อบ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of ถู is rubbing a surface. It can describe rubbing a body part, rubbing two surfaces together, or cleaning something by rubbing it. In cleaning contexts, the natural English translation depends on the object and tool: scrub, wipe, polish, or mop. A very common phrase is ถูพื้น, meaning “to mop the floor.”
Usage
It is common in everyday situations involving cleaning, bathing, or describing body movements. You will hear it with objects such as floors, tables, hands, eyes, and the body.
Caution
Do not confuse ถู with ถูก; they are different words. Also, ถู is not the best choice for every kind of “wipe.” For quickly wiping off sweat or water with a towel, เช็ด is usually more natural.
Differences from similar words
1 rub synonyms
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สี can also describe surfaces rubbing against each other, but ถู is the more general and useful everyday verb for learners.