อย่า
do not...
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 do not...、don't...
Placed before a verb or action phrase, อย่า tells someone not to do something.
do not...、don't...
Used as อย่า + verb phrase to tell or ask someone not to perform an action.
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อย่าไปนะ yàa pay ná Please don't go. อย่าไปนะ details
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อย่ากังวล yàa kaŋwon Don't worry. อย่ากังวล details
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อย่าลืมโทรหาฉัน yàa lʉʉm thoo hǎa chǎn Don't forget to call me. อย่าลืมโทรหาฉัน details
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อย่าเพิ่งไป yàa phə̂əŋ pay Don't go yet. อย่าเพิ่งไป details
Learning notes
Explanation
The basic pattern is อย่า + verb phrase: อย่าไป means “don’t go,” and อย่าพูด means “don’t speak.” อย่าลืม + verb means “don’t forget to...,” while อย่าเพิ่ง + verb means “don’t ... yet.” Because อย่า expresses a command or request to stop or avoid an action, tone and context affect how strong it sounds. Adding นะ or an appropriate polite ending can soften it.
Usage
Commonly used to stop someone, give a warning, offer advice, or say things such as “don’t worry” and “don’t forget.”
Caution
Do not confuse อย่า with the ordinary negative ไม่. ไม่ไป states that someone does not or will not go; อย่าไป tells someone not to go. Since it can sound firm, use a gentle tone or polite ending when appropriate.
Differences from similar words
1 do not... synonyms
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ห้าม means “to prohibit” and is especially common in rules, notices, and signs. อย่า more directly tells or asks a person not to do something.