ซื่อ
honest
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 honest、straightforward
- 2 innocent、guileless、naive
Describes a person or manner that is honest, straightforward, and free of deceit. It is generally positive, but in some contexts it can suggest being overly trusting or naive.
honest、straightforward
Describes someone who does not lie, cheat, or act deceitfully and can therefore be trusted.
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เขาเป็นคนซื่อ khǎw pen khon sʉ̂ʉ He is an honest person. เขาเป็นคนซื่อ details
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คนซื่อไม่โกงใคร khon sʉ̂ʉ mây kooŋ khray An honest person does not cheat anyone. คนซื่อไม่โกงใคร details
innocent、guileless、naive
Describes someone who is innocent and without guile, sometimes implying that the person is too trusting and easily deceived.
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เขาซื่อเกินไป khǎw sʉ̂ʉ kəən pay He is too trusting. เขาซื่อเกินไป details
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อย่าซื่อจนถูกหลอก yàa sʉ̂ʉ con thùuk lɔ̀ɔk Don't be so naive that you get deceived. อย่าซื่อจนถูกหลอก details
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หน้าตาซื่อ ๆ nâa taa sʉ̂ʉ sʉ̂ʉ An innocent-looking face. หน้าตาซื่อ ๆ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image of ซื่อ is being morally straight and having nothing deceptive beneath the surface. คนซื่อ usually refers positively to an honest, straightforward person. In expressions such as ซื่อเกินไป (“too trusting”), however, the word suggests a lack of suspicion that makes someone easy to fool. The repeated form ซื่อ ๆ can gently describe an innocent, unassuming appearance or manner. When specifically describing loyalty or faithfulness to a person, promise, or duty, ซื่อสัตย์ is usually clearer than ซื่อ alone.
Usage
Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe a person's character, expression, or manner. It may praise someone as trustworthy or express concern that someone is too innocent and easily deceived.
Caution
ซื่อ does not normally mean “obedient” or “willing to follow instructions”; เชื่อฟัง is more appropriate for that meaning. To express loyalty or faithfulness unambiguously, use ซื่อสัตย์.
Differences from similar words
1 honest synonyms
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ซื่อตรง more explicitly means morally upright and incorruptible and also suits formal contexts. ซื่อ is more conversational and may additionally suggest simplicity or innocence.
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ซื่อสัตย์ emphasizes faithfulness to a person, promise, or duty. ซื่อ more broadly describes a character that is honest and free of deceit.
2 innocent synonyms
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ไร้เดียงสา focuses on innocence arising from limited experience or knowledge. ซื่อ focuses on having no deceit or cunning, though context may imply being easily fooled.