ว่า
say
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 say、reportedly say、think or intend to
- 2 that [introducing a content clause]
- 3 scold、reproach、criticize
This word centers on expressing or introducing what someone says, thinks, knows, or believes. It can mean “say,” connect an idea to its content like “that,” or mean “scold” when directed at a person.
say、reportedly say、think or intend to
Expresses what someone says or, in some contexts, what someone thinks or intends.
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ว่าอย่างไรนะ wâa yàaŋ ray ná What did you say? ว่าอย่างไรนะ details
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ฉันว่าจะกลับบ้าน chǎn wâa cà klàp bâan I think I'll go home. ฉันว่าจะกลับบ้าน details
that [introducing a content clause]
Links verbs of speaking, thinking, knowing, or believing to the clause that gives their content.
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เขาบอกว่าจะกลับพรุ่งนี้ khǎw bɔ̀ɔk wâa cà klàp phrûŋníi He said he would return tomorrow. เขาบอกว่าจะกลับพรุ่งนี้ details
scold、reproach、criticize
Directs disapproval at someone by admonishing, criticizing, or scolding them.
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แม่ว่าฉัน mɛ̂ɛ wâa chǎn My mother scolded me. แม่ว่าฉัน details
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อย่าว่าเขาเลย yàa wâa khǎw ləəy Don't blame him. อย่าว่าเขาเลย details
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ฉันถูกครูว่า chǎn thùuk khruu wâa I was scolded by the teacher. ฉันถูกครูว่า details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of ว่า is presenting the content of speech, thought, belief, or judgment. As a verb, it can mean “say.” เขาว่า… may mean “he says…” or, depending on context, the impersonal “they say…” or “reportedly….” ฉันว่า… commonly introduces the speaker’s own opinion and is often best translated as “I think….” Its most important pattern is “verb + ว่า + content.” Common combinations include คิดว่า “think that,” บอกว่า “say/tell that,” and รู้ว่า “know that.” English often uses “that” or no connector at all. When ว่า is followed directly by a person rather than by a clause, it commonly means to scold, criticize, or blame that person.
Usage
ว่า is extremely common in both conversation and writing. It appears when giving an opinion, reporting what someone said, stating what someone knows or believes, and asking what a word means. In homes and schools, it is also used for scolding or correcting someone.
Caution
The verbal “say” use and the clause-linking use are closely related. In เขาว่าเขาจะมา, it is more natural to understand the whole structure as “he says he will come” than to translate each word separately. A useful contrast is ว่า + clause for the content of speech or thought versus ว่า + person for scolding or criticizing that person. Do not confuse ว่า with กว่า, meaning “than.” The latter begins with ก and is a different word, as in ดีกว่า, “better” or “had better.”
Differences from similar words
1 say synonyms
2 that [introducing a content clause] synonyms
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ที่ can also introduce a clause, often one connected to a noun or treated as a fact or event. ว่า specifically introduces the content of speech, thought, knowledge, belief, and similar mental acts.
3 scold synonyms
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ด่า is stronger and often involves insults, harsh language, or verbal abuse. ว่า can describe milder criticism or ordinary scolding by a parent or teacher.
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ตำหนิ is a somewhat more formal word for finding fault with or criticizing someone. ว่า is common in everyday speech and can refer to a relatively mild telling-off.