เสมอ
always
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 always、constantly
- 2 equal、evenly matched
- 3 level、even、flush
- 4 draw、tie
This word centers on the idea of no difference or change. It can mean “always” over time, “equal” in a comparison, “level” for a surface or height, and “draw” in a competition.
always、constantly
Indicates that an action happens every time or that a state continues without changing. It normally follows the predicate it modifies.
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เขามาสายเสมอ khǎw maa sǎay samə̌ə He is always late. เขามาสายเสมอ details
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ฉันคิดถึงคุณเสมอ chǎn khít thʉ̌ŋ khun samə̌ə I always think of you. ฉันคิดถึงคุณเสมอ details
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เขาช่วยฉันอยู่เสมอ khǎw chûay chǎn yùu samə̌ə He is always there to help me. เขาช่วยฉันอยู่เสมอ details
equal、evenly matched
Describes people or things as being at the same level in degree, ability, rights, or another point of comparison.
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ทุกคนมีสิทธิเสมอกัน thúk khon mii sìtthí samə̌ə kan Everyone has equal rights. ทุกคนมีสิทธิเสมอกัน details
level、even、flush
Describes a surface, height, or edge as having no uneven difference and being aligned at the same level.
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พื้นไม่เสมอกัน phʉ́ʉn mây samə̌ə kan The floor is uneven. พื้นไม่เสมอกัน details
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ตัดขอบให้เสมอกัน tàt khɔ̀ɔp hây samə̌ə kan Cut the edges so that they are even. ตัดขอบให้เสมอกัน details
draw、tie
Describes a game or contest ending with equal scores or results, so neither side wins.
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ทีมไทยเสมอกับทีมญี่ปุ่น 1-1 thiim thay samə̌ə kàp thiim yîipùn nʉ̀ŋ nʉ̀ŋ Thailand drew 1–1 with Japan. ทีมไทยเสมอกับทีมญี่ปุ่น 1-1 details
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ตอนนี้คะแนนเสมอกัน tɔɔn níi khanɛɛn samə̌ə kan The score is tied now. ตอนนี้คะแนนเสมอกัน details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central idea of เสมอ is the absence of difference or change. When something remains unchanged over time, it means “always” or “constantly.” In this use, it normally follows the verb or predicate, as in เขามาสายเสมอ (“He is always late”). The pattern อยู่เสมอ is also common and gives a strong sense of continuation. When there is no difference between people or things, it means “equal.” With heights or surfaces, it means “level” or “even.” In a competition, equal scores produce the meaning “tie” or “draw.” เสมอกัน is common for mutual equality or a tied score, while เสมอกับ followed by an opponent is common when reporting a draw. เสมอมา means that something has continued “all along” up to the present. เสมอไป can mean “always” or “indefinitely,” but it is especially common in the negative pattern ไม่...เสมอไป, meaning “not necessarily” or “not always.”
Usage
It is common in everyday conversation for habits, repeated events, and feelings that remain unchanged. It also appears when comparing ability or rights, describing the level of floors, roads, or edges, and reporting tied scores or drawn matches. It is neutral in tone and natural in both speech and writing.
Caution
Do not confuse เสมอ with บ่อย. บ่อย means “often” and does not imply every occasion, while เสมอ strongly suggests “always” or “every time.” Also, ไม่...เสมอไป usually expresses partial negation: “not necessarily” or “not always,” rather than “always not.” For example, ของแพงไม่ได้ดีเสมอไป means “Expensive things are not necessarily good.” For doing something regularly and consistently, อย่างสม่ำเสมอ may be more natural.
Differences from similar words
1 always synonyms
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บ่อย means “often” and allows exceptions. เสมอ is stronger, indicating that something happens every time or remains consistently true.
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ประจำ emphasizes something habitual or routine and can also mean “usual” in everyday speech. เสมอ more broadly covers actions, feelings, or states that remain constant.
2 equal synonyms
3 level synonyms
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เรียบ focuses on a surface being smooth and free of roughness. เสมอ focuses on heights being aligned or a surface being uniformly level.
4 draw synonyms
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เจ๊า also means “draw,” but it is more informal and especially common in casual speech or lively sports coverage. เสมอ is neutral and works broadly in both conversation and reporting.