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Thai

สึก

Pronunciation

sʉ̀k

สึก

sʉ̀k

wear down

Native recording

Analyzing pitch…

  1. 1 wear down、be worn away、erode
  2. 2 leave the monkhood、disrobe

This word describes something becoming worn down through friction or use. It also commonly refers to a Buddhist monk leaving the monkhood and returning to lay life.

1

wear down、be worn away、erode

Verb⭐️3 Common

Describes a surface or part gradually being worn down by friction, use, or erosion.

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2

leave the monkhood、disrobe

Verb⭐️2 Not often used Casual Buddhism

An everyday Buddhist term for a monk leaving the monkhood and returning to lay life.

Learning notes

Explanation

The word has two main uses. For physical objects, it describes gradual loss of material through friction or continued use. It commonly occurs with soles, tires, teeth, coins, and machine parts. The extended form สึกหรอ is also widely used for mechanical wear and deterioration. In a Buddhist context, it means that a monk leaves the monkhood and returns to lay life. It is the everyday counterpart of บวช, “to ordain.” The more formal term is ลาสิกขา. In combinations such as จับสึก, it can refer to forcing a monk to disrobe.

Usage

It is commonly used when discussing worn soles or tires, dental wear, and deterioration of tools or machine parts. In conversations about Thai Buddhist life, it is used when discussing when a monk will end his period of ordination or return to ordinary life.

Caution

รู้สึก means “to feel” as a complete word; สึก by itself does not have that meaning. Also distinguish it from the identically pronounced ศึก, meaning “battle” or “war.” Use เก่า for something that is merely old and เสีย or พัง for something broken; สึก specifically indicates that material has been worn away.

Differences from similar words

1 wear down synonyms

2 leave the monkhood synonyms

  • ลาสิกขา is the more formal term used in official or ceremonial contexts. สึก is the shorter, everyday way to say that a monk leaves the monkhood.

Component words

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