ทาย
guess
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 guess、figure out
- 2 foretell、divine
This verb is used to guess an unknown answer or outcome, and also to foretell something that has not yet happened.
guess、figure out
Describes trying to identify an unknown answer, fact, or outcome.
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ลองทายดูสิ lɔɔŋ thaay duu sì Take a guess. ลองทายดูสิ details
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ทายซิว่าใครมา thaay sí wâa khray maa Guess who came. ทายซิว่าใครมา details
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ฉันทายถูกไหม chǎn thaay thùuk mǎy Did I guess correctly? ฉันทายถูกไหม details
foretell、divine
Describes foretelling the future or interpreting what an omen or sign indicates.
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หมอดูทายอนาคตให้ฉัน mɔ̌ɔ duu thaay ànaakhót hây chǎn The fortune-teller foretold my future. หมอดูทายอนาคตให้ฉัน details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea is trying to state something that is not yet known. Common patterns include ทายว่า… “guess…,” ลองทายดู “try to guess,” ทายถูก “guess correctly,” and ทายผิด “guess incorrectly.” In quizzes and riddles, it can mean finding the answer. When the subject is the future, fate, or an omen, it can mean “foretell” or “divine.”
Usage
It is common when guessing a person, age, price, quiz answer, or game result. It also appears in fortune-telling and discussions of predictions about the future.
Caution
ทาย alone does not mean that the guess was correct; use ทายถูก to say someone guessed correctly. Do not confuse it with ท้าย, which means “end,” “rear,” or “last.”
Differences from similar words
1 guess synonyms
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คาดการณ์ is a more formal term for forecasting future developments from available information. ทาย is more conversational and often focuses on getting an answer right.
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เดา is the general verb for making a guess, often with limited evidence. ทาย is especially common when there is an answer to identify correctly, as in a guessing game or quiz.
2 foretell synonyms
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ดูดวง refers to the overall practice of telling someone's fortune, often through astrology. ทาย focuses more on stating or guessing what the future holds.
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ทำนาย clearly means to predict or prophesy and is widely used for fortunes and prophecies. ทาย can carry that meaning too, but by itself it may also be understood as an ordinary guess.