เหา
louse
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 louse、head louse
This word refers to a tiny blood-feeding insect that lives in human or animal hair. On its own, it most often means a head louse.
louse、head louse
A parasitic insect found in hair or on the skin, most commonly referring to head lice in everyday use.
-
เด็กติดเหามาจากโรงเรียน dèk tìt hǎw maa càak rooŋrian The child caught head lice at school. เด็กติดเหามาจากโรงเรียน details
Learning notes
Explanation
เหา is the ordinary Thai word for a louse, a tiny parasite that feeds on blood and lives among human or animal hair. In everyday conversation, it usually refers specifically to head lice. Common combinations include มีเหา “to have lice,” ติดเหา “to catch lice,” and กำจัดเหา “to remove or eliminate lice.” The classifier ตัว is used when counting individual lice.
Usage
It is commonly used at home or school when checking a child's hair, and in pharmacies or clinics when discussing an infestation or treatment. It often comes up when talking about an itchy scalp, eggs attached to hair, or head-lice medicine.
Caution
Do not confuse เหา with หมัด, meaning “flea.” Fleas jump between hosts, while lice live attached to hair or the body. โลน normally refers specifically to pubic lice. Telling someone directly that they have lice can sound embarrassing or judgmental, so the subject should be handled tactfully.