force oneself to stay awake
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 force oneself to stay awake、struggle to keep one's eyes open
This means forcing the eyes to stay or open wide, especially when struggling to remain awake despite being very sleepy.
force oneself to stay awake、struggle to keep one's eyes open
Describes forcing yourself to keep your eyes open and remain awake despite strong sleepiness.
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ต้องถ่างตาอ่านหนังสือทั้งคืน tɔ̂ŋ thàaŋ taa àan nǎŋsʉ̌ʉ tháŋ khʉʉn I have to force myself to stay awake and study all night. ต้องถ่างตาอ่านหนังสือทั้งคืน details
Learning notes
Explanation
The expression combines ถ่าง, “to spread or force apart,” with ตา, “eye.” Its core image is that of forcing the eyelids apart. It is commonly used for struggling against sleep in order to continue an activity: ถ่างตา followed by another verb means doing that activity while forcing oneself to stay awake. ถ่างตาดู, literally “force your eyes open and look,” can also strongly tell someone to look carefully or face what is obvious.
Usage
It is often used when someone fights sleep to study, meet a work deadline, drive at night, or continue another activity. It can also describe physically holding the eyelids open, or appear in a forceful command telling someone to look properly.
Caution
Use ลืมตา for simply opening the eyes. ถ่างตา carries a stronger sense of force or effort. Addressing someone with ถ่างตาดู can sound irritated, accusatory, or rude; ดูให้ดี is safer when a more neutral or polite tone is needed.
Differences from similar words
1 force oneself to stay awake synonyms
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อดนอน focuses on going without sleep or not getting enough sleep. ถ่างตา emphasizes the effort of fighting sleep and keeping the eyes open.
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โต้รุ่ง means staying up through the entire night. ถ่างตา does not necessarily imply an all-nighter; it highlights the struggle to keep awake.