กิ่ง
branch
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 branch
- 2 [classifier for branches and elephant tusks]
It mainly refers to a branch growing out from a tree trunk or a larger branch. It is also used as a classifier for branches and, conventionally, elephant tusks.
branch
A part of a tree that grows out from the trunk or from a larger branch, ranging from a large bough to a small twig.
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กิ่งไม้ kìŋ máay tree branch กิ่งไม้ details
[classifier for branches and elephant tusks]
A classifier used for branches and conventionally for individual elephant tusks.
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กิ่งไม้สองกิ่ง kìŋ máay sɔ̌ɔŋ kìŋ two tree branches กิ่งไม้สองกิ่ง details
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งาช้างสองกิ่ง ŋaa cháaŋ sɔ̌ɔŋ kìŋ two elephant tusks งาช้างสองกิ่ง details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image of กิ่ง is something that grows outward after separating from a trunk or main body. It can be used alone for a tree branch, while กิ่งไม้ (“tree branch”) is also extremely common. When the context is clearly about a tree, กิ่ง naturally appears by itself, as in กิ่งนี้ (“this branch”) or ตัดกิ่ง (“cut/prune branches”). As a classifier, it counts branches, as in กิ่งไม้สองกิ่ง. It is also the conventional classifier for individual elephant tusks.
Usage
This word is common in gardening and farming when discussing pruning, branch growth, blossoms, or fruit. It is also used in everyday descriptions of birds, fruit, or other things located on a tree branch.
Caution
Do not normally use กิ่ง for a company or bank branch; สาขา is the usual word. Also distinguish it from ก้าน, which refers to a stalk, stem, or the supporting shaft of a leaf, flower, or fruit.
Differences from similar words
1 branch synonyms
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แขนง usually refers to a smaller offshoot or subdivision and can also mean a field of study. กิ่ง is the basic everyday word for a physical tree branch.