เทา
gray
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 gray、grey
- 2 morally or legally questionable、in a gray area
Describes the color gray, between white and black. Figuratively, it can also describe something that falls into an unclear moral or legal area.
gray、grey
Describes the color gray, especially in the common form สีเทา when referring to the color of an object.
-
ทาสีบ้านสีเทา thaa sǐi bâan sǐi thaw Paint the house gray. ทาสีบ้านสีเทา details
-
ท้องฟ้าเป็นสีเทา thɔ́ɔŋfáa pen sǐi thaw The sky is gray. ท้องฟ้าเป็นสีเทา details
morally or legally questionable、in a gray area
Figuratively describes something in a gray area, especially when its legality, morality, or acceptability is uncertain or questionable.
-
เขาทำธุรกิจสีเทา khǎw tham thúrakìt sǐi thaw He is involved in a shady business. เขาทำธุรกิจสีเทา details
-
พื้นที่สีเทา phʉ́ʉnthîi sǐi thaw a gray area พื้นที่สีเทา details
Learning notes
Explanation
The basic meaning of เทา is “gray.” The form สีเทา, literally “gray color,” is especially common. To describe an object, Thai normally uses the order “object + สีเทา,” as in รถสีเทา, “a gray car.” Shades can be expressed with เทาอ่อน, “light gray,” and เทาเข้ม, “dark gray.” Because gray lies between white and black, the word is also used figuratively for matters that are not clearly legal or illegal, right or wrong. Expressions such as ธุรกิจสีเทา can carry a negative implication of suspected corruption or criminal involvement. There are rare homonymous meanings in specialized contexts, but they are not important for most learners.
Usage
It is commonly used to describe the color of clothing, cars, furniture, buildings, the sky, and hair. Its figurative use often appears in news, legal, business, and social discussions involving questionable legality or ethics.
Caution
When describing an object’s color, สีเทา is generally more natural than bare เทา. The word refers to gray itself; use words such as ซีด for “faded” or หมอง for “dull or tarnished” rather than เทา.
Differences from similar words
1 gray synonyms
2 morally or legally questionable synonyms
-
คลุมเครือ broadly means unclear or ambiguous, including unclear language or explanations. เทา specifically uses the image of gray to suggest uncertain moral, legal, or acceptable status.