way
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 way、means、course of action
- 2 path、route、course
A noun for a path leading toward a destination or goal. It can refer to an actual route, a way to accomplish something, or a course through life.
way、means、course of action
A way or means of reaching a goal, especially when solving a problem or overcoming a difficulty.
-
ไม่มีหนทางช่วยเขาได้ mây mii hǒnthaaŋ chûay khǎw dâay There is no way to help him. ไม่มีหนทางช่วยเขาได้ details
Show more (1)
-
นี่เป็นหนทางเดียวที่จะประสบความสำเร็จ nîi pen hǒnthaaŋ diaw thîi cà prasòp khwaam sǎmrèt This is the only way to succeed. นี่เป็นหนทางเดียวที่จะประสบความสำเร็จ details
path、route、course
An actual path or route toward a place, or figuratively, the course a person follows through life.
-
หนทางยังอีกยาวไกล hǒnthaaŋ yaŋ ìik yaaw klay There is still a long way to go. หนทางยังอีกยาวไกล details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image of หนทาง is a path that leads toward a place or goal. It can describe a physical route or journey, but its abstract uses are also important in modern Thai. It often refers to a means of solving a problem or to the course a person chooses in life. Compared with ทาง, it can place more emphasis on the process or possible path toward a goal. Common patterns include หาหนทาง plus a verb, “find a way to…,” ไม่มีหนทาง plus a verb, “have no way to…,” หนทางสู่ plus a noun, “the path to…,” and หนทางเดียว, “the only way.”
Usage
It is commonly used when discussing solutions to problems, ways out of difficult situations, life choices, or a path toward the future. It can also appear in descriptions of an actual route or a long journey.
Caution
For ordinary directions such as “turn onto this road,” use ทาง or ถนน instead. หนทาง is generally understood as a path or means leading toward a destination or goal, not simply as a street or direction.
Differences from similar words
1 way synonyms
-
วิธี usually refers to a specific method or procedure. หนทาง focuses more on an available means or path toward a desired result.
-
แนวทาง commonly means a guideline, approach, or general direction, especially in formal or organizational contexts. หนทาง emphasizes a means of reaching a goal or getting through a difficulty.
2 path synonyms
-
ถนน refers to a physical road or street. หนทาง focuses on the route or path traveled toward a destination rather than on the constructed road itself.
-
ทาง is the broader, more everyday word for a road, direction, route, or way. หนทาง more strongly suggests a path leading toward a destination or goal and often carries greater weight in figurative uses.