แก้
fix
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 fix、correct、revise
- 2 solve、resolve
- 3 relieve、cure、remedy、counteract
- 4 untie、undo、loosen、take off
แก้ is a verb with the core idea of undoing or removing something that is wrong, stuck, troublesome, or unpleasant. Depending on the context, it can mean to solve, fix, correct, relieve, or untie.
fix、correct、revise
Used for correcting or fixing something that is wrong, broken, inaccurate, or not in the desired state.
-
แก้คำผิด kɛ̂ɛ kham phìt correct typos แก้คำผิด details
solve、resolve
Used when solving a problem, question, or difficult situation so that it is no longer unresolved.
-
แก้ปัญหา kɛ̂ɛ panhǎa solve a problem แก้ปัญหา details
-
แก้โจทย์คณิตศาสตร์ kɛ̂ɛ còot khaníttasàat solve a math problem แก้โจทย์คณิตศาสตร์ details
relieve、cure、remedy、counteract
Used for relieving or counteracting symptoms such as pain, coughing, itching, allergies, or other unpleasant conditions.
-
ยาแก้ปวด yaa kɛ̂ɛ pùat painkiller ยาแก้ปวด details
-
ยาแก้ไอ yaa kɛ̂ɛ ay cough medicine ยาแก้ไอ details
Show more (1)
-
ยาแก้แพ้ yaa kɛ̂ɛ phɛ́ɛ antihistamine; allergy medicine ยาแก้แพ้ details
untie、undo、loosen、take off
Used for undoing, loosening, untying, or taking off something tied, fastened, tightened, or worn.
-
แก้เชือก kɛ̂ɛ chʉ̂ak untie a rope แก้เชือก details
-
แก้ปม kɛ̂ɛ pom untie a knot แก้ปม details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of แก้ is undoing or removing something that is tangled, wrong, troublesome, or unpleasant. That is why it appears in phrases like แก้ปัญหา “solve a problem,” แก้คำผิด “correct typos,” ยาแก้ปวด “painkiller,” and แก้เชือก “untie a rope.” It is best learned together with the noun that follows it. There are also fixed expressions such as แก้แค้น “take revenge” and แก้มือ “try again to redeem oneself,” but แก้ by itself does not simply mean “revenge.”
Usage
This word is very common in everyday conversation, school, work, language learning, healthcare, pharmacies, and tech contexts. Learners will often encounter phrases such as แก้ปัญหา, แก้คำผิด, แก้ประโยค, ยาแก้ปวด, and ยาแก้ไอ.
Caution
แก้ does not cover every use of “fix” or “repair.” For repairing machines, houses, or equipment, ซ่อม is often more natural. Also, for taking off clothes, ถอด is usually the safer general word; แก้ผ้า is direct and close to “undress” or “get naked,” so it needs care.
Differences from similar words
1 fix synonyms
-
ซ่อม is the standard word for repairing machines, tools, buildings, and similar things. แก้ can also mean fix, but it focuses more on removing the problem and is widely used for text, settings, mistakes, and issues.
-
แก้ไข sounds a bit more formal or official than แก้ and fits documents, systems, data, and revisions. In everyday speech, แก้ alone is often natural.
2 solve synonyms
-
ไข is often used for solving or explaining a specific answer, mystery, or doubt. แก้ is broader and can refer to resolving a whole problem or difficult situation.
3 relieve synonyms
-
บรรเทา means to alleviate or reduce and sounds somewhat more formal or descriptive. แก้ is more everyday and commonly combines with symptoms and medicines.
4 untie synonyms
-
คลาย means to loosen, ease, or relax, including tension or pain. แก้ more often presents someone actively undoing a knot, fastening, or problem.
-
ถอด is the common, neutral word for taking off clothes, shoes, or parts. แก้ more strongly suggests undoing or loosening something tied or fastened, and แก้ผ้า can sound quite direct, meaning to undress or get naked.