แหย่
poke
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 poke、stick (a finger or narrow object) into
- 2 tease、provoke、pester
This word describes poking something with a finger or a narrow object. It also extends to teasing or provoking a person or animal to get a reaction.
poke、stick (a finger or narrow object) into
To insert a finger or the end of a narrow object into something, or to poke something with it.
-
อย่าเอานิ้วแหย่ปลั๊กไฟ yàa aw níw yɛ̀ɛ plák fay Don't stick your finger into the electrical outlet. อย่าเอานิ้วแหย่ปลั๊กไฟ details
Show more (1)
-
อย่าแหย่รังแตน yàa yɛ̀ɛ raŋ tɛɛn Don't poke the hornets' nest. อย่าแหย่รังแตน details
tease、provoke、pester
To tease or provoke a person or animal in order to get a reaction, whether playfully or annoyingly.
-
ฉันแค่แหย่เล่น chǎn khɛ̂ɛ yɛ̀ɛ lên I was only teasing. ฉันแค่แหย่เล่น details
-
อย่าแหย่เขา เดี๋ยวเขาโกรธ yàa yɛ̀ɛ khǎw dǐaw khǎw kròot Don't tease him. He'll get angry. อย่าแหย่เขา เดี๋ยวเขาโกรธ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core image is that of lightly poking from the outside to produce a reaction from what is inside or from another person. In its physical sense, it is used for putting a finger, stick, or similar object into a hole or gap, or for prodding something with its tip. With people, it means teasing them to see how they react. When the action is likely to cause anger or aggression, it can mean “provoke.” แหย่เล่น means to tease playfully, while แค่แหย่เล่น is a common way to say “I was only teasing.” The expression แหย่รังแตน literally means “poke a hornets' nest” and may also be used figuratively for stirring up a dangerous person or situation.
Usage
It is common when friends tease each other about relationships or other personal topics, as well as when someone deliberately tries to annoy another person. It is also used in warnings to children not to put their fingers into outlets or holes, and when telling someone not to poke or bother an animal or something dangerous.
Caution
The teasing sense is not always harmless. Even with เล่น, it may offend someone if the topic is sensitive. In the physical sense, the word does not simply mean “put something inside”; it describes poking or inserting a finger or narrow object.
Differences from similar words
1 poke synonyms
-
จิ้ม means to press or prick something with a finger or pointed object and can also mean to dip food into a sauce. แหย่ more strongly suggests poking into an opening or prodding something to cause a reaction.
-
แยง strongly emphasizes inserting or thrusting a narrow object into something. แหย่ can describe a similar motion but often feels more like poking or prodding and also extends to teasing people.
2 tease synonyms
-
หยอก usually means playful, affectionate teasing. แหย่ puts more emphasis on prodding someone for a reaction and can sound provocative depending on the situation.
-
แกล้ง covers a wider range of intentional acts, from playing a trick to troubling or bullying someone. แหย่ focuses more specifically on teasing or prodding someone to elicit a reaction.