พนัน
bet
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 bet、gamble
This word means to risk money or something of value on an uncertain result, either by placing a bet or gambling.
bet、gamble
It describes betting money or something valuable on a game, contest, or other uncertain outcome.
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เล่นพนัน lên phanan gamble เล่นพนัน details
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พนันฟุตบอล phanan fút bɔɔn bet on soccer พนันฟุตบอล details
Learning notes
Explanation
พนัน is a verb used when someone stakes money or something valuable on an outcome that is not yet known. It can be used on its own, but เล่นพนัน (“to gamble”) is also extremely common. To refer to gambling as an activity or concept, Thai normally uses the nominalized form การพนัน. The pattern พนันกันไหมว่า... can also be used casually to challenge someone to a prediction, similar to “Want to bet that...?” It does not always imply that real money is involved.
Usage
It is used for betting on sports, gambling with cards or dice, and discussing online gambling. It also commonly appears in news, legal contexts, and discussions of gambling addiction.
Caution
พนัน does not naturally cover every figurative use of English “bet” or “stake,” such as staking one’s life or future on something; เดิมพัน or เสี่ยง may fit those contexts better. Gambling is also legally restricted in many forms in Thailand, so the word can carry legal and social implications.
Differences from similar words
1 bet synonyms
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เดิมพัน can mean either “to wager” or, as a noun, “a stake.” พนัน primarily refers to the act of betting or gambling.
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เสี่ยงโชค means to try one’s luck, often through a lottery or game of chance. พนัน more specifically involves staking money or something valuable on an outcome.