อาถรรพ์
mysterious harmful power
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 mysterious harmful power、supernatural jinx
- 2 mysterious、supernatural and ominous、ill-omened
This word refers to a mysterious supernatural influence believed to bring misfortune or harm. It can also describe something associated with an eerie, ominous power.
mysterious harmful power、supernatural jinx
A mysterious supernatural power or influence believed to be attached to a place, object, or situation and to cause misfortune or harm.
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สถานที่แห่งนี้มีอาถรรพ์ sathǎan thîi hɛ̀ŋ níi mii aathǎn This place is believed to be under a supernatural curse. สถานที่แห่งนี้มีอาถรรพ์ details
mysterious、supernatural and ominous、ill-omened
Placed after a noun, it describes something as eerie, supernatural, or ominously associated with misfortune.
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ป่าอาถรรพ์ pàa aathǎn an eerie, supernatural forest ป่าอาถรรพ์ details
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คำสาปอาถรรพ์ kham sàap aathǎn a mysterious and ominous curse คำสาปอาถรรพ์ details
Learning notes
Explanation
อาถรรพ์ conveys the idea of an inexplicable power believed to bring harm or misfortune. Depending on context, it may correspond to a supernatural jinx, an ominous influence, or a haunting force. As a noun, it commonly appears in patterns such as มีอาถรรพ์, meaning that something is believed to carry an ominous power, and อาถรรพ์ของ…, referring to the jinx or harmful influence associated with something. After another noun, it can function adjectivally and add an eerie, dangerous supernatural quality. The word is darker than a neutral word for “mysterious.” Its use does not necessarily mean that the speaker personally believes in supernatural forces; it is also common in storytelling and entertainment.
Usage
It commonly appears in ghost stories, horror, folklore, and discussions of places, tombs, objects, or numbers believed to bring unexplained misfortune. In everyday speech, it may also be used dramatically or humorously when a series of bad events seems almost supernatural.
Caution
Do not use it as a general word for being unlucky. โชคร้าย describes ordinary bad luck, while ลางร้าย or เป็นลางไม่ดี refers to a bad omen. อาถรรพ์ specifically suggests a mysterious or supernatural force behind the misfortune.
Differences from similar words
1 mysterious harmful power synonyms
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คำสาป is a curse deliberately placed on someone or something, often through spoken words. อาถรรพ์ is broader and may be an unexplained ominous power attached to a place, object, or situation.
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ลางร้าย is a bad omen that signals future trouble. อาถรรพ์ refers to the mysterious power believed to cause the trouble itself.
2 mysterious synonyms
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ลึกลับ simply means mysterious or unexplained and can be neutral. อาถรรพ์ adds an ominous supernatural sense, suggesting danger or misfortune.