พาด

Explanation

The core image is not simply putting something in a location, but placing it in contact with a support so that it extends across, over, or diagonally against that support. The best English translation depends on the object and arrangement: a cloth is “draped over” a rail, an arm is “rested on” a chair, and a ladder is “leaned against” a wall. The word also appears in compounds with more abstract meanings, notably พาดหัวข่าว and พาดพิง.

Usage

Common in everyday situations such as draping a towel or clothing over a rail, resting an arm or leg on furniture, or leaning a ladder against a wall. In compounds, it also occurs in news publishing and when referring to a third party in a statement.

Caution

Do not use พาด for every kind of “hang.” When an object is suspended from a hook or similar point, แขวน is normally used. พาด is appropriate when something rests across or against a support. To mean “refer to or implicate someone,” use พาดพิง or พาดพิงถึง rather than พาด by itself.

1 drape (something over a support) synonyms

• พิง

  phiŋ lean against

  พิง describes a person or object leaning on something for support. พาด focuses on placing or resting something across or against that support.

• วาง

  waaŋ put down

  วาง is the general verb for putting or placing something somewhere. พาด specifically suggests that the object rests across, over, or against a support.

• แขวน

  khwɛ̌ɛn hang

  แขวน means to hang something so that it is suspended, often from a hook. พาด means to rest or drape something across a support.