เพียงพอ
enough
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- 1 enough、sufficient、sufficiently
It describes having enough of something to meet a need or serve a purpose.
enough、sufficient、sufficiently
It means sufficient for a particular need, or to a sufficient extent when describing an action.
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อาหารเพียงพอสำหรับทุกคน aahǎan phiaŋphɔɔ sǎmràp thúk khon There is enough food for everyone. อาหารเพียงพอสำหรับทุกคน details
Learning notes
Explanation
The key idea is meeting a requirement. It does not necessarily imply a large quantity or a generous surplus. It also applies to less tangible things such as information, evidence, and ability. Use มี + noun + เพียงพอ for “have enough…” and noun + ไม่เพียงพอ for “is not sufficient.” When stating that something is sufficient, no linking verb เป็น is needed. เพียงพอสำหรับ + person or purpose means “enough for…,” while เพียงพอที่จะ + verb means “enough to….” After an action, ให้เพียงพอ expresses doing it to a sufficient extent, as in advice about getting enough rest or drinking enough water. It is standard Thai used in both speech and writing.
Usage
Use it when checking whether a budget or deadline allows enough resources or time, whether supplies will cover everyone's needs, or whether someone is getting enough sleep or rest. It also appears in workplace discussions and news reports about whether information or evidence is sufficient.
Caution
เพียงพอ cannot replace พอ in all its uses. To tell someone “That's enough” or “Stop,” the usual expression is พอแล้ว. Keep the word order distinct from พอเพียง. In the established expression เศรษฐกิจพอเพียง (“sufficiency economy”), do not substitute เพียงพอ.
Differences from similar words
1 enough synonyms
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พอ is the shorter, everyday word for “enough.” เพียงพอ sounds somewhat more formal and explicitly describes sufficiency for a need or purpose.
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พอดี emphasizes an exact fit or just the right amount. เพียงพอ only says that a need is met; there may be some left over.
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พอเพียง can also mean “sufficient,” and is common in discussions of modest living and economic sufficiency. เพียงพอ is the usual general term for whether money, time, or other resources meet a particular need.