ลอบ
secretly
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 secretly、stealthily、sneakily、on the sly
- 2 bamboo fish trap、fish trap、fishing basket trap
ลอบ mainly means doing something secretly or stealthily, often before another verb. As a noun, it can also refer to a bamboo fish trap.
secretly、stealthily、sneakily、on the sly
Used before a verb to show that an action is done secretly, stealthily, or without others knowing. It often appears with actions such as entering, listening, attacking, or plotting.
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มีคนลอบวางระเบิด mii khon lɔ̂ɔp waaŋ rábə̀ət Someone secretly planted a bomb. มีคนลอบวางระเบิด details
bamboo fish trap、fish trap、fishing basket trap
A trap, often made of bamboo, used for catching fish, shrimp, or similar animals. It belongs to fishing and rural-life contexts.
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วางลอบ waaŋ lɔ̂ɔp to set a fish trap วางลอบ details
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ลอบดักปลา lɔ̂ɔp dàk plaa a fish trap ลอบดักปลา details
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ชาวบ้านวางลอบในคลอง chaaw bâan waaŋ lɔ̂ɔp nay khlɔɔŋ The villagers set fish traps in the canal. ชาวบ้านวางลอบในคลอง details
Learning notes
Explanation
As an adverb, ลอบ carries the idea of doing something hidden from others, not merely doing it quietly. It commonly comes before another verb, as in ลอบฟัง “eavesdrop,” ลอบมอง “look secretly,” and ลอบเข้าไป “sneak in.” In news, it often appears in serious contexts such as ลอบโจมตี “attack stealthily,” ลอบวางระเบิด “plant a bomb secretly,” and ลอบสังหาร “assassinate.” As a noun, ลอบ is a separate meaning: a fishing trap used to catch fish or shrimp.
Usage
The adverb is common in contexts involving secrecy, sneaking, eavesdropping, hidden attacks, crime, politics, military matters, and news reports. The noun is used when talking about fishing, canals or rivers, rural life, and traditional fishing tools.
Caution
For casual everyday “secretly,” แอบ is usually more natural. For example, แอบกินขนม sounds normal for “secretly eat snacks,” while ลอบกินขนม can sound overly serious or dramatic.
Differences from similar words
1 secretly synonyms
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แอบ is the everyday word for doing something secretly or behind someone’s back. ลอบ sounds more formal or serious and often suggests stealthy, illegal, hostile, or planned action.