opponent (in boxing, Muay Thai, etc.)
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- 1 opponent (in boxing, Muay Thai, etc.)
This word primarily refers to the person someone faces in boxing, Muay Thai, or another striking sport. It can also figuratively describe a direct rival in a competitive contest.
opponent (in boxing, Muay Thai, etc.)
The fighter whom someone directly faces in a boxing, Muay Thai, or similar striking match.
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เขาเจอคู่ชกที่แข็งแกร่ง khǎw cəə khûuchók thîi khɛ̌ŋkrɛ̀ŋ He faced a strong opponent. เขาเจอคู่ชกที่แข็งแกร่ง details
Learning notes
Explanation
คู่ชก combines คู่, referring to the other member of a pair or match, with ชก, meaning to punch or fight with the fists. Its core meaning is therefore an opponent in boxing, Muay Thai, or a similar striking sport. Because it refers to a person, คน is used when counting: คู่ชกหนึ่งคน means “one opponent.” The word is also used figuratively in politics, business, and debates. In such contexts, it presents the competition as a head-to-head fight and often suggests the question of whether one side can hold its own against the other.
Usage
It is commonly used before and after boxing or Muay Thai matches when discussing a fighter’s next opponent, record, strength, build, or fighting style. Political and business coverage may also use it figuratively when describing whether one candidate or company can compete head-to-head with another.
Caution
คู่ชก does not mean an enemy in general. Use ศัตรู for an enemy, คู่ต่อสู้ for an opponent across different kinds of contests, and คู่แข่ง for a competitor or rival in the broad sense. Outside combat sports, คู่ชก is figurative, so คู่แข่ง may be more suitable when neutral wording is needed.