worker
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- 1 worker、laborer
Refers mainly to someone who performs manual or hands-on work, especially at a factory, construction site, farm, or similar workplace.
worker、laborer
A person paid to do manual or hands-on work at a workplace or job site.
Learning notes
Explanation
The word is formed from คน (“person”) and งาน (“work”). In actual use, however, it does not normally mean just anyone who has a job. It typically suggests someone doing manual or hands-on work at a factory, construction site, farm, warehouse, or similar workplace. It is a common, neutral term. The type of work can be specified by adding another word after it, as in คนงานก่อสร้าง (“construction worker”). Because it refers to people, คน is used when counting: คนงานสามคน means “three workers.” The noun itself does not change in the plural.
Usage
Commonly used when discussing staffing at factories or job sites, hiring workers, work assignments, wages, schedules, breaks, workplace safety, and labor issues. It appears in everyday conversation as well as job advertisements, news reports, and workplace communication.
Caution
Do not use คนงาน for every person who has a job. คนทำงาน is more suitable for “a working person” in the broad sense, while พนักงาน is generally more natural for office employees, store staff, and similar roles.
Differences from similar words
1 worker synonyms
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กรรมกร means a manual laborer and can suggest heavy labor or the working class. คนงาน is usually the more neutral term for an ordinary worker.
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พนักงาน is a broad term for an employee or staff member, including office and service workers. คนงาน more often refers to someone doing manual or hands-on work.
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ลูกจ้าง emphasizes a person's status as someone employed by an employer. คนงาน focuses more on the manual or practical nature of the work.