ถาม
ask
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 ask、ask about、inquire、check by asking
A basic verb meaning to ask someone for an answer or information. It covers asking a question, checking something, or making an inquiry, but not hearing sounds.
ask、ask about、inquire、check by asking
Used when asking a person a question or asking about information, facts, prices, directions, plans, and so on.
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ถามครู thǎam khruu ask the teacher ถามครู details
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ขอถามหน่อยได้ไหม khɔ̌ɔ thǎam nɔ̀ɔy dâay mǎy Can I ask you something? ขอถามหน่อยได้ไหม details
Show more (3)
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ถามราคา thǎam raakhaa ask the price ถามราคา details
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ถามทาง thǎam thaaŋ ask for directions ถามทาง details
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เขาถามว่าไปไหม khǎw thǎam wâa pay mǎy He asked whether I was going. เขาถามว่าไปไหม details
Learning notes
Explanation
ถาม is the basic verb for asking in order to get an answer. Common patterns are ถาม + person, ถาม + topic, and ถามว่า + clause. For example, ถามเขา means “ask him/her,” ถามชื่อ means “ask someone’s name,” and ถามว่าอยู่ที่ไหน means “ask where someone is.” A useful polite opener is ขอถามหน่อยได้ไหม, “May I ask something?”
Usage
Use it in everyday and practical situations: asking a teacher a question, asking a price in a shop, asking for directions, checking plans with a friend, or making an inquiry at work.
Caution
Do not use ถาม for hearing sounds or listening to something. Use ได้ยิน for “hear” and ฟัง for “listen.” Also, “answer” is ตอบ, not ถาม.
Differences from similar words
1 ask synonyms
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ซักถาม suggests questioning in more detail or asking a series of questions to get information. ถาม simply means to ask and is the more general word.
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สอบถาม is often used for making an inquiry, especially to an office, shop, company, or service counter, and sounds a bit more formal. ถาม is broader and is the normal everyday word for asking a question.