ตุ๊กตุ๊ก
tuk-tuk
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 tuk-tuk、motorized three-wheeled taxi
A tuk-tuk is a small, covered, three-wheeled motor vehicle commonly used to carry passengers in Thailand, especially for short urban trips and sightseeing.
tuk-tuk、motorized three-wheeled taxi
A small motorized three-wheeled passenger vehicle with a seat behind the driver, widely associated with transportation in Thailand.
Learning notes
Explanation
ตุ๊กตุ๊ก refers to Thailand’s familiar small three-wheeled passenger vehicle. The fuller form รถตุ๊กตุ๊ก is also used, but speakers commonly omit รถ in everyday conversation. Common combinations include นั่งตุ๊กตุ๊ก “ride in a tuk-tuk,” ไปด้วยตุ๊กตุ๊ก “go by tuk-tuk,” and เรียกตุ๊กตุ๊ก “call or hail a tuk-tuk.” The classifier for these vehicles is คัน. For example, ตุ๊กตุ๊กหนึ่งคัน means “one tuk-tuk.” The name is generally said to imitate the sound of an early engine, though modern speakers normally treat it simply as the name of the vehicle.
Usage
This word is common when discussing transportation around town, telling a driver the destination, negotiating a fare, or describing Thai travel and tourist attractions.
Caution
ตุ๊กตุ๊ก names the vehicle, not its driver; a tuk-tuk driver is คนขับตุ๊กตุ๊ก. Many tuk-tuks do not use meters, so passengers commonly agree on the fare before the ride.