สำหรับ
for
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 for、intended for、for the purpose of
- 2 for (someone)、as for、in the case of
A preposition that marks the intended recipient or use of something, or sets the person, topic, or case from whose perspective a statement applies.
for、intended for、for the purpose of
Marks the intended recipient, target user, or purpose of an item, service, or facility.
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ของขวัญสำหรับคุณ khɔ̌ɔŋ khwǎn sǎmràp khun a gift for you ของขวัญสำหรับคุณ details
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หนังสือสำหรับผู้เริ่มต้น nǎŋsʉ̌ʉ sǎmràp phûu rə̂əm tôn a book for beginners หนังสือสำหรับผู้เริ่มต้น details
for (someone)、as for、in the case of
Sets a viewpoint, topic, or category as the particular scope within which the following statement applies.
Learning notes
Explanation
สำหรับ identifies the person, thing, activity, or situation that defines the relevant target or scope. After a noun, it commonly indicates an intended user or use, as in หนังสือสำหรับเด็ก, “a book for children.” Frequent patterns include ใช้สำหรับ..., “be used for...,” and มีไว้สำหรับ..., “be provided or kept for....” At the beginning of a clause, it can establish a viewpoint or topic, as in สำหรับฉัน, “for me,” or สำหรับเรื่องนี้, “as for this matter.” The pattern สำหรับ...นั้น gives the topic or category additional contrastive emphasis. It is standard Thai and is common in both conversation and writing.
Usage
It is commonly used to describe the intended audience for books, products, or medicine and the purpose of rooms, equipment, or services. It also appears when stating a personal viewpoint, introducing a topic, or defining the group covered by a rule. It is frequent in advertisements, teaching materials, instructions, and workplace or school notices.
Caution
When giving the purpose of an action itself, เพื่อ is often more natural than สำหรับ. For example, “go to Thailand to study Thai” is ไปเมืองไทยเพื่อเรียนภาษาไทย. สำหรับ also does not normally mark the recipient in the act of giving. ของขวัญสำหรับเขา means “a gift intended for him,” while ให้ของขวัญเขา means “give him a gift.”
Differences from similar words
1 for synonyms
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เพื่อ commonly introduces the purpose or goal of an action, meaning “in order to.” สำหรับ is especially common for identifying who or what an item is intended for.
2 for (someone) synonyms
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ส่วน often introduces one side of a contrast, much like “as for” or “whereas.” สำหรับ can also establish a person’s viewpoint or the group to which a statement or rule applies.