แบก
shoulder
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 shoulder、carry on one's back、carry a heavy load
- 2 bear (a burden)、shoulder (responsibility)、take on (a burden)
- 3 carry a team [slang]、carry others [slang]、do the heavy lifting [casual]
This verb means to carry something heavy on your shoulder or back, and by extension to bear a burden or responsibility. In casual speech, it can also mean to carry a team or group by doing most of the work.
shoulder、carry on one's back、carry a heavy load
Used when carrying a load on the shoulder, back, or body, especially when it feels heavy or burdensome. It is stronger than simply holding something in the hand.
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แบกกระเป๋า bɛ̀ɛk krapǎw carry a bag on one's back แบกกระเป๋า details
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คนงานแบกปูน khon ŋaan bɛ̀ɛk puun The worker carries cement. คนงานแบกปูน details
bear (a burden)、shoulder (responsibility)、take on (a burden)
Used figuratively for bearing responsibilities, problems, costs, debts, or other heavy burdens. It presents the burden as something one has to carry.
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แบกภาระ bɛ̀ɛk phaará bear a burden แบกภาระ details
carry a team [slang]、carry others [slang]、do the heavy lifting [casual]
A casual slang use meaning to carry a team or group by performing especially well or doing much more than others.
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วันนี้เขาแบกทีมจริง ๆ wan níi khǎw bɛ̀ɛk thiim ciŋ ciŋ He really carried the team today. วันนี้เขาแบกทีมจริง ๆ details
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เดอะแบกของทีม də̀ bɛ̀ɛk khɔ̌ɔŋ thiim the one who carries the team เดอะแบกของทีม details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core image of แบก is carrying weight with your body, especially on the shoulder or back. It fits naturally with heavy objects such as bags, books, cement, or sacks of rice. From that physical image, it extends to figurative burdens such as responsibilities, problems, debts, costs, or pressure. In casual speech, especially in games and team contexts, แบก can mean that one person carries the group by doing most of the work or performing especially well.
Usage
Use it when talking about carrying heavy things during travel, school, moving, shopping, or manual work. It is also common when discussing someone bearing responsibility, costs, debts, or problems at home or at work. In gaming, sports, and casual group talk, it can describe someone carrying the team through strong performance.
Caution
For simply holding a light object, ถือ is more natural than แบก. For wearing a bag over the shoulder, สะพาย may be the better choice. When used about people, saying that you are แบก them can imply that you are doing their share too, so it may sound condescending depending on the situation.
Differences from similar words
1 shoulder synonyms
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ถือ is the general word for holding something in the hand. แบก suggests carrying weight on the shoulder, back, or body, so it sounds too strong for simply holding a light object.
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สะพาย means to sling or wear something over the shoulder, such as a bag. แบก emphasizes carrying a heavier load and feeling its weight.
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หาม often describes carrying something with a pole, stretcher, or by multiple people. แบก can be used broadly for one person carrying a load on the shoulder or back.
2 bear (a burden) synonyms
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รับ is a broad verb meaning to receive or accept. แบก adds the sense that the responsibility or burden is heavy and difficult to carry.
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แบกรับ more explicitly means to bear or take on a responsibility or burden, often with a slightly more formal feel. แบก is broader and common in everyday figurative use.