พอ
enough
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 enough、sufficient、adequate
- 2 that’s enough、stop、no more
- 3 somewhat、fairly、manageably
- 4 as soon as、when、just after
พอ carries the idea of reaching a needed point or threshold. It can mean “enough,” “somewhat,” “that’s enough/stop,” or, as a connector, “as soon as” or “when.”
enough、sufficient、adequate
This sense means that the amount, degree, or condition is sufficient for what is needed.
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เงินพอไหม ŋən phɔɔ mǎy Is there enough money? เงินพอไหม details
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แค่นี้พอ khɛ̂ɛ níi phɔɔ This much is enough. แค่นี้พอ details
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อาหารไม่พอ aahǎan mây phɔɔ There isn’t enough food. อาหารไม่พอ details
that’s enough、stop、no more
Used to say that something is enough and should stop, or that no more is needed.
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พอแล้ว phɔɔ lɛ́ɛw That’s enough. พอแล้ว details
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พอเถอะ phɔɔ thə̀ Let’s stop now. พอเถอะ details
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ไม่ต้องพูดแล้ว พอ mây tɔ̂ŋ phûut lɛ́ɛw phɔɔ You don’t need to say any more. Enough. ไม่ต้องพูดแล้ว พอ details
somewhat、fairly、manageably
This sense means “to some extent” or “fairly,” often used to describe ability or quality modestly.
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พอเข้าใจ phɔɔ khâwcay I understand somewhat. พอเข้าใจ details
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พูดไทยได้พอสมควร phûut thay dâay phɔɔ sǒmkhuan I can speak Thai fairly well. พูดไทยได้พอสมควร details
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อาหารพอใช้ได้ aahǎan phɔɔ cháy dâay The food is okay. อาหารพอใช้ได้ details
as soon as、when、just after
Used in the pattern พอ ... ก็ ... to show that one event happens as soon as or when another event occurs.
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พอถึงบ้านก็อาบน้ำ phɔɔ thʉ̌ŋ bâan kɔ̂ɔ àap náam As soon as I get home, I take a shower. พอถึงบ้านก็อาบน้ำ details
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พอฝนตก รถก็ติด phɔɔ fǒn tòk rót kɔ̂ɔ tìt When it rains, traffic gets bad. พอฝนตก รถก็ติด details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of พอ is reaching the needed point. That is why it can describe having enough money or food, deciding that something is enough, or telling someone to stop. With ability words, as in พอเข้าใจ or พอจำได้, it often means “somewhat” or “well enough to manage.” As a conjunction, พอ...ก็... is a key pattern meaning that the second event follows when or soon after the first event happens.
Usage
It is used across everyday situations: checking whether money, food, time, or seats are enough; describing ability modestly; refusing more; stopping someone; and linking events in time. Common patterns include พอไหม, พอแล้ว, and พอ...ก็....
Caution
A short, firm พอ! can sound like “Stop!” or “Enough!” and may feel blunt. To refuse politely, soften it with phrases such as ไม่เป็นไร or ครับ/ค่ะ. พอดี is related, but it has its own common uses such as “just right,” “just then,” or a soft lead-in to an excuse, so it is best learned separately.
Differences from similar words
1 enough synonyms
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พอเพียง also means “sufficient,” often with a nuance of having enough resources or living within means. พอ is the broader everyday word for simply having enough.
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เพียงพอ is a more formal word for “sufficient.” พอ is more common in everyday speech and works in a wider range of short expressions.
2 that’s enough synonyms
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หยุด means “stop” as an action. พอ adds the sense that it is already enough and should not continue.
3 somewhat synonyms
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ค่อนข้าง means “rather” or “fairly” as a degree adverb. พอ often suggests that something reaches a workable or acceptable level.
4 as soon as synonyms
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เมื่อ is a general connector meaning “when” and is common in formal writing too. พอ more strongly suggests that the next event follows right away.