ผ่า
split open
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 split open、cleave、cut open
- 2 operate on、undergo surgery
- 3 cut through、break through
- 4 run (a red light)
This word describes cutting deeply into something to open or split it. The same image extends to surgery, going straight through the middle of something, and running a red light.
split open、cleave、cut open
To cut deeply into something, opening it up or splitting it, often lengthwise with a knife or axe.
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ผ่าฟืน phàa fʉʉn split firewood ผ่าฟืน details
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ผ่าแตงโมเป็นสองซีก phàa tɛɛŋmoo pen sɔ̌ɔŋ sîik split the watermelon into two halves ผ่าแตงโมเป็นสองซีก details
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ผ่าครึ่ง phàa khrʉ̂ŋ cut in half ผ่าครึ่ง details
operate on、undergo surgery
In medical contexts, it refers to surgery involving an incision. Depending on context, it can describe either performing or undergoing an operation.
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หมอจะผ่าพรุ่งนี้ mɔ̌ɔ cà phàa phrûŋníi The doctor will operate tomorrow. หมอจะผ่าพรุ่งนี้ details
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ผ่าคลอด phàa khlɔ̂ɔt perform or undergo a cesarean section ผ่าคลอด details
cut through、break through
To move straight through the middle of a group, area, or barrier, as though cutting a path through it.
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รถแล่นผ่าฝูงชน rót lɛ̂n phàa fǔuŋ chon The car drove through the crowd. รถแล่นผ่าฝูงชน details
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ผ่าวงล้อม phàa woŋ lɔ́ɔm break through an encirclement ผ่าวงล้อม details
run (a red light)
In the fixed expression ผ่าไฟแดง, it means to proceed through a red traffic light instead of stopping.
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ห้ามผ่าไฟแดง hâam phàa fay dɛɛŋ Do not run a red light. ห้ามผ่าไฟแดง details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core image of ผ่า is entering deeply into the middle of something and separating it, almost as if creating a path through it. With physical objects, it appears in expressions such as ผ่าฟืน, “split firewood,” and ผ่าครึ่ง, “cut in half.” It suggests a deep, substantial cut rather than chopping something into many small pieces. In medical conversations, ผ่า is commonly used as a shorter form of ผ่าตัด, “have or perform surgery.” It also appears in established expressions such as ฟ้าผ่า, “lightning strikes,” and ผ่าไฟแดง, “run a red light.”
Usage
It is used when splitting firewood or large foods, when discussing surgery, and when something moves directly through a crowd or barrier. In traffic contexts, ผ่าไฟแดง is the everyday expression for running a red light.
Caution
Use ตัด for cutting in general and หั่น for slicing or chopping food into smaller pieces. ผ่า normally suggests a deep cut that opens or splits something. Do not confuse it with the similarly spelled ฝ่า. ฝ่า is normally used for braving a storm or overcoming hardship, while the fixed expression for running a red light is ผ่าไฟแดง.
Differences from similar words
1 split open synonyms
2 operate on synonyms
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ผ่าตัด is the clear, standard term for performing or undergoing surgery. ผ่า is often used as a conversational shortening, but without medical context it may simply mean “split open.”
3 cut through synonyms
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ฝ่า emphasizes pushing on despite danger, hardship, or resistance. ผ่า focuses on going directly through the middle as if cutting a path.