อิ่ม

Explanation

The core image is of something having received enough and no longer lacking. Its most basic and frequent use is the physical feeling of fullness after eating or drinking. Thai state words can serve directly as predicates, so ฉันอิ่ม means “I’m full.” เป็น is not added before อิ่ม. อิ่มแล้ว is a standard way to say that you have had enough during a meal. กินให้อิ่ม means “eat until you are full,” while กินไม่อิ่ม means “eat without becoming full” or “not get enough to eat.” The idea can extend to emotional fulfillment, but this is normally made explicit in compounds such as อิ่มใจ. Another common compound, อิ่มตัว, applies the idea of being filled to capacity to substances, markets, and similar things, meaning “saturated.”

Usage

It is extremely common during and after meals—for saying that you are full, asking whether someone has had enough, or encouraging someone to eat their fill. Compounds such as อิ่มใจ and อิ่มเอมใจ are used for the warm fulfillment felt after doing something good or seeing others happy. In business and scientific contexts, อิ่มตัว describes something saturated, such as a market or a solution.

Caution

อิ่ม does not simply mean that an amount is sufficient; by itself, it normally describes physical fullness. Use พอ when you only mean “enough” in terms of quantity. It also does not normally imply painful overeating. แน่นท้อง describes an uncomfortably tight or bloated stomach, while อิ่มเกินไป means “too full.” For emotional fulfillment, a compound such as อิ่มใจ is usually clearer and more natural.

1 full (after eating or drinking) synonyms

• พอ

  phɔɔ enough

  พอ means “enough” in a broad sense of quantity or degree. อิ่ม specifically focuses on the physical state of having eaten or drunk enough.

2 emotionally fulfilled synonyms

• พอใจ

  phɔɔ cay be satisfied

  พอใจ means being satisfied with something because it meets one's expectations. อิ่ม suggests a warmer feeling of inner fulfillment and normally appears in compounds such as อิ่มใจ.

• อิ่มเอม

  อิ่มเอม is a more expressive word for being filled with joy or contentment. อิ่ม by itself usually refers to physical fullness; compounds such as อิ่มใจ make the emotional meaning clear.