be in the red
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- 1 be in the red
- 2 minus、negative (below zero)
Describes a value below zero and, in financial contexts, a situation where expenses exceed income.
be in the red
Describes being in the red because spending exceeds income or available funds.
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บัญชีของฉันติดลบทุกเดือน banchii khɔ̌ɔŋ chǎn tìt lóp thúk dʉan My bank account goes into the red every month. บัญชีของฉันติดลบทุกเดือน details
minus、negative (below zero)
Describes a numerical value that is below zero, such as a temperature, score, or balance.
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อุณหภูมิติดลบ 5 องศา unhaphuum tìt lóp hâa oŋsǎa The temperature is minus five degrees. อุณหภูมิติดลบ 5 องศา details
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คะแนนของฉันติดลบแล้ว khanɛɛn khɔ̌ɔŋ chǎn tìt lóp lɛ́ɛw My score has gone below zero. คะแนนของฉันติดลบแล้ว details
Learning notes
Explanation
ติดลบ combines ติด with ลบ and conveys the central idea of being in a negative or below-zero state. With temperatures, scores, balances, and other measurable values, it means that the actual value is below zero. Common combinations include ตัวเลขติดลบ (a negative value), อุณหภูมิติดลบ (a below-zero temperature), and ยอดติดลบ (a negative balance). When used as a predicate about personal finances, it can also conversationally mean that expenses exceed income—that someone is in the red.
Usage
It is common in weather reports for temperatures below freezing, in games when a score drops below zero, and in banking when an account has a negative balance. In everyday conversation, it can also describe a salary or household budget that fails to cover monthly expenses.
Caution
ติดลบ does not simply mean that an amount has decreased; use ลดลง for a decrease that may still leave a positive value. For a company making a financial loss, ขาดทุน is usually more precise. Also, “to think negatively” is normally คิดลบ, not คิดติดลบ.
Differences from similar words
1 be in the red synonyms
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ขาดดุล is a relatively formal term for a budget, trade, or public-sector deficit. ติดลบ is more conversational and can also describe personal finances.
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ขาดทุน means to make a loss, especially in business or investment. ติดลบ is a more conversational and broader expression for finances or a balance being below zero.