ทำนาย
foretell
Native recording
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- 1 foretell、predict、divine
This verb means to state in advance what will happen or how something will turn out, often through fortune-telling, omens, or other signs. It can also be used more generally for predicting an unknown result.
foretell、predict、divine
To say in advance what the future, a person's fate, or an uncertain outcome will be, especially through divination or the interpretation of signs.
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หมอดูทำนายอนาคตของฉัน mɔ̌ɔ duu thamnaay ànaakhót khɔ̌ɔŋ chǎn The fortune-teller predicted my future. หมอดูทำนายอนาคตของฉัน details
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ช่วยทำนายฝันให้หน่อย chûay thamnaay fǎn hây nɔ̀ɔy Could you interpret this dream for me? ช่วยทำนายฝันให้หน่อย details
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ยากที่จะทำนายผลการแข่งขัน yâak thîi cà thamnaay phǒn kaan khɛ̀ŋ khǎn It is difficult to predict the outcome of the match. ยากที่จะทำนายผลการแข่งขัน details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of ทำนาย is stating something before it becomes known. It is especially common when a fortune-teller predicts someone's future or when a dream or omen is interpreted as a sign of what will happen. It can also refer to predicting an outcome or a person's behavior outside fortune-telling contexts. Common patterns include ทำนายว่า followed by a clause (“predict that…”), ทำนายอนาคต (“foretell the future”), ทำนายผล (“predict the result”), and ทำนายฝัน (“interpret a dream”). ทำนาย is primarily a verb. คำทำนาย is used for the prediction or prophecy itself, while การทำนาย refers to the act of predicting or divining.
Usage
It is commonly used when fortune-tellers or astrologers talk about love, careers, luck, fate, or future events, as well as in discussions of dreams and omens. It can also be used when predicting an uncertain result, such as the outcome of a match or someone's future behavior.
Caution
For projections based on data or professional analysis, คาดการณ์ is often more natural, while พยากรณ์ is commonly used for forecasts such as weather forecasts. For simply guessing an answer, use ทาย. To express the noun “prediction” or “prophecy,” use คำทำนาย rather than treating ทำนาย as an ordinary standalone noun.
Differences from similar words
1 foretell synonyms
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คาดการณ์ usually refers to making a reasoned projection from available facts or trends. ทำนาย can also mean “predict,” but it more readily suggests foretelling the future or divining someone's fate.
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ทาย is the more casual and general word for guessing, including guessing an answer or what someone is thinking. ทำนาย focuses on stating a future event, fate, or unknown outcome in advance and is more strongly associated with fortune-telling or prophecy.
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พยากรณ์ is commonly used for formal forecasts, especially weather and economic forecasts. ทำนาย is especially natural when a fortune-teller or astrologer foretells a person's future or fate.