ไหล
flow
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 flow、run、come out[liquid, body fluid]
- 2 slide、stream, flow[people, traffic, information, money]
ไหล mainly means that a liquid flows naturally, and it also extends to body fluids coming out or people, traffic, money, or information moving in a continuous stream.
flow、run、come out[liquid, body fluid]
Used when water or other liquids move naturally, or when blood, tears, sweat, and similar fluids come out of the body.
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น้ำไหล náam lǎy Water flows. น้ำไหล details
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เลือดไหล lʉ̂at lǎy Blood is coming out. เลือดไหล details
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น้ำตาไหล nám taa lǎy Tears are flowing. น้ำตาไหล details
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น้ำมูกไหล náam mûuk lǎy My nose is running. น้ำมูกไหล details
slide、stream, flow[people, traffic, information, money]
Used for non-liquids that move smoothly, slip downward, or move continuously like a stream.
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รถไหลช้า ๆ rót lǎy cháa cháa The traffic is moving slowly. รถไหลช้า ๆ details
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เงินไหลออกนอกประเทศ ŋən lǎy ɔ̀ɔk nɔ̂ɔk prathêet Money flows out of the country. เงินไหลออกนอกประเทศ details
Learning notes
Explanation
ไหล is basically intransitive: the subject itself flows, comes out, slips, or moves along. To say someone makes water flow, Thai usually uses another expression such as เปิดน้ำ, ปล่อยน้ำ, or ทำให้น้ำไหล depending on the situation. น้ำตาไหล means tears are coming out; it is different from ร้องไห้, which means to cry.
Usage
Common in everyday situations involving taps, rivers, rain, runny noses, tears, sweat, and bleeding. It is also common in news and explanations for traffic flow, streams of people, money leaving a country, or information spreading.
Caution
Do not confuse ไหล with ไหล่, which means “shoulder.” They are different words with different spellings and meanings.
Differences from similar words
1 flow synonyms
2 slide synonyms
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เลื่อน means to move or shift position and can be caused deliberately. ไหล suggests natural, smooth movement caused by gravity, momentum, or a current.
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แพร่กระจาย directly means to spread, as with information or disease. ไหล pictures information, money, or people moving continuously in a particular direction.