ใช้
use
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 use、employ、utilize、apply、exercise (a right, power)
- 2 spend (money, time)、use up、take (time)、repay (a debt)
- 3 have someone do something、make someone do something、use someone to do work
ใช้ is a core verb meaning to put something to use for a purpose. With tools, methods, words, rights, money, time, or people, its English translation shifts to use, apply, exercise, spend, take, or have someone do something.
use、employ、utilize、apply、exercise (a right, power)
This is the basic sense of using or applying something for a purpose, including tools, methods, language, services, systems, rules, and rights.
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ใช้โทรศัพท์ cháy thoorasàp use a phone ใช้โทรศัพท์ details
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ใช้ปากกาเขียนชื่อ cháy pàakkaa khǐan chʉ̂ʉ write a name with a pen ใช้ปากกาเขียนชื่อ details
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ใช้ภาษาไทย cháy phaasǎa thay use Thai ใช้ภาษาไทย details
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ใช้บริการรถไฟฟ้า cháy bɔɔrikaan rót fay fáa use the train service ใช้บริการรถไฟฟ้า details
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ใช้สิทธิเลือกตั้ง cháy sìtthí lʉ̂ak tâŋ exercise the right to vote ใช้สิทธิเลือกตั้ง details
spend (money, time)、use up、take (time)、repay (a debt)
This sense is used with resources that are spent or consumed, especially money, time, energy, and effort. With time, it often means that something takes a certain amount of time.
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ใช้เงินเยอะ cháy ŋən yə́ spend a lot of money ใช้เงินเยอะ details
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ใช้เวลาสองชั่วโมง cháy weelaa sɔ̌ɔŋ chûamooŋ take two hours ใช้เวลาสองชั่วโมง details
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งานนี้ใช้แรงมาก ŋaan níi cháy rɛɛŋ mâak This work takes a lot of physical effort. งานนี้ใช้แรงมาก details
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ใช้หนี้ cháy nîi repay a debt ใช้หนี้ details
have someone do something、make someone do something、use someone to do work
With a person as the object, ใช้ can mean to have or make someone do something. It often sounds directive and can imply authority over the person.
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เขาใช้ลูกน้องทำงานหนัก khǎw cháy lûuk nɔ́ɔŋ tham ŋaan nàk He makes his subordinates do hard work. เขาใช้ลูกน้องทำงานหนัก details
Learning notes
Explanation
ใช้ is commonly used in the pattern ใช้ + noun, meaning to use something. The pattern ใช้ A ทำ B means to do B using A. Depending on the object, it can be translated as use a tool, use a service, exercise a right, or apply a rule. The very common form ใช้ได้ means usable or valid, and in everyday speech it can also mean acceptable or pretty good. ใช้ไม่ได้ can mean unusable, invalid, or simply not good enough.
Usage
ใช้ appears constantly in daily conversation, work, school, shopping, technology, transportation, and official procedures. It is used for tools, language choices, services, time needed, money spent, and instructions involving other people.
Caution
Do not confuse ใช้ “use” with ใช่ “yes; that’s right.” Also, when ใช้ is used with a person, it can sound like giving an order or making someone do something, so ช่วย...หน่อย or ขอให้... is often better for polite requests.
Differences from similar words
1 use synonyms
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นำมาใช้ suggests bringing something into use or adopting it. ใช้ simply says that something is used.
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ใช้ประโยชน์ means to make practical use of something for benefit. ใช้ is broader and can simply mean to use a tool, word, method, or service.