แตะ
touch lightly
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 touch lightly、touch briefly、make light contact with
- 2 tap (a screen or button)、press lightly (a touch control)
- 3 reach (a level or number)、hit (a level or number)
- 4 touch on (a topic)、mention briefly、interfere with、meddle with
แตะ mainly means to touch something lightly or briefly. It also extends to tapping a screen, nudging a ball with the foot, reaching a numerical level, or briefly touching on a topic.
touch lightly、touch briefly、make light contact with
This sense means to make light physical contact with something, without gripping, pressing hard, or handling it fully.
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อย่าแตะของฉัน yàa tɛ̀ khɔ̌ɔŋ chǎn Don’t touch my things. อย่าแตะของฉัน details
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เขาแตะไหล่ฉันเบา ๆ khǎw tɛ̀ lày chǎn baw baw He lightly touched my shoulder. เขาแตะไหล่ฉันเบา ๆ details
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ห้ามแตะ hâam tɛ̀ Do not touch. ห้ามแตะ details
tap (a screen or button)、press lightly (a touch control)
This sense is used for tapping a screen, button, or touch interface with a finger.
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แตะปุ่มนี้ tɛ̀ pùm níi Tap this button. แตะปุ่มนี้ details
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แตะหน้าจอสองครั้ง tɛ̀ nâa cɔɔ sɔ̌ɔŋ khráŋ Tap the screen twice. แตะหน้าจอสองครั้ง details
reach (a level or number)、hit (a level or number)
This figurative sense means that a number, price, temperature, record, or amount reaches a certain level.
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อุณหภูมิแตะ 40 องศา unhà phuum tɛ̀ sìi sìp oŋsǎa The temperature reached 40 degrees. อุณหภูมิแตะ 40 องศา details
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ราคาทองแตะระดับสูงสุด raakhaa thɔɔŋ tɛ̀ rádàp sǔuŋ sùt Gold prices hit a record high. ราคาทองแตะระดับสูงสุด details
touch on (a topic)、mention briefly、interfere with、meddle with
This figurative sense means to touch on a topic, or in some contexts to interfere with or get involved in something one should leave alone.
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เขาไม่อยากแตะเรื่องการเมือง khǎw mâyyàak tɛ̀ rʉ̂aŋ kaan mʉaŋ He doesn’t want to touch on politics. เขาไม่อยากแตะเรื่องการเมือง details
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อย่าแตะเรื่องนี้ yàa tɛ̀ rʉ̂aŋ níi Don’t get involved in this matter. อย่าแตะเรื่องนี้ details
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เขาไม่แตะยาเสพติด khǎw mây tɛ̀ yaa sèep tìt He doesn’t touch drugs. เขาไม่แตะยาเสพติด details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core image of แตะ is brief, light contact. It can describe touching an object, tapping a phone screen, or lightly touching a ball with the foot. From that physical image, it extends naturally to figures reaching a threshold, articles or speakers touching on a topic, and someone getting involved in something they should avoid. Some dictionaries also list a noun meaning bamboo weaving, but it is not a high-priority everyday sense for most learners.
Usage
You will hear แตะ in everyday warnings like “don’t touch,” in descriptions of light physical contact, and in instructions for phones, ATMs, or touchscreens. It is also common in news and business language for prices, temperatures, sales, and records reaching a certain level. In discussions or writing, it can mean touching on a subject or getting involved in a matter.
Caution
Do not confuse แตะ with เตะ, which means “kick.” For touchscreens, แตะ is natural; for pressing a physical button, กด is often the better choice.
Differences from similar words
1 touch lightly synonyms
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จับ means to hold, grab, or handle something more fully. แตะ is lighter and briefer, just making contact.
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สัมผัส is broader and can mean to touch or sense, often sounding more descriptive or formal. แตะ focuses on a brief, light physical touch.
2 tap (a screen or button) synonyms
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กด means to press, including pressing a physical button or applying pressure. แตะ is lighter and is natural for tapping touchscreens.
3 reach (a level or number) synonyms
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ถึง is the general word for arriving at or reaching something. แตะ is more figurative and common with figures or levels, suggesting a number has touched a threshold.
4 touch on (a topic) synonyms
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กล่าวถึง is a more formal way to say “mention” or “refer to.” แตะ suggests touching on something briefly and is natural when the topic is sensitive or only lightly addressed.
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ยุ่ง often means to get involved, meddle, or cause trouble. แตะ starts from the idea of touching and can range from briefly mentioning a topic to getting involved in something.