ค่อยๆ
slowly
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 slowly、gradually、little by little
- 2 softly、gently、carefully
It describes an action or change that happens slowly, gradually, or with restrained force rather than all at once.
slowly、gradually、little by little
It shows that an action or change proceeds slowly or gradually instead of happening all at once.
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ค่อยๆ กินนะ khɔ̂y khɔ̂y kin ná Take your time eating. ค่อยๆ กินนะ details
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อาการค่อยๆ ดีขึ้น aakaan khɔ̂y khɔ̂y dii khʉ̂n The symptoms are gradually improving. อาการค่อยๆ ดีขึ้น details
softly、gently、carefully
It describes doing something softly, gently, or carefully, with reduced sound or force.
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พูดค่อยๆ หน่อย phûut khɔ̂y khɔ̂y nɔ̀ɔy Please speak a little more softly. พูดค่อยๆ หน่อย details
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เธอค่อยๆ แกะห่อของขวัญ thəə khɔ̂y khɔ̂y kɛ̀ hɔ̀ɔ khɔ̌ɔŋ khwǎn She carefully unwrapped the present. เธอค่อยๆ แกะห่อของขวัญ details
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ค่อยๆ เปิดประตู khɔ̂y khɔ̂y pə̀ət pratuu Open the door gently. ค่อยๆ เปิดประตู details
Learning notes
Explanation
ค่อยๆ is a repeated form of ค่อย; ๆ is the Thai repetition mark. It commonly appears before a verb or an expression describing change. Its core image is controlled progression: something happens without suddenness, haste, or excessive force. Depending on the context, it can therefore mean “slowly,” “gradually,” “gently,” or “carefully.” It is common in both conversation and writing. In advice or instructions, it often creates a calm, reassuring tone by signaling that there is no need to rush.
Usage
It is often used when telling someone not to rush, describing gradual changes in health, weather, or understanding, and handling something gently. It is also natural when discussing work or problems that should be addressed step by step.
Caution
ค่อยๆ normally modifies an action or change; it is not generally used as an adjective directly meaning “slow” before a noun. Also, ค่อย by itself has other grammatical uses, including the sense of doing something afterward, which should not be confused with repeated ค่อยๆ.
Differences from similar words
1 slowly synonyms
2 softly synonyms
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ระมัดระวัง explicitly means being cautious to avoid danger or mistakes. ค่อยๆ can simply describe a slow or gentle action without implying danger.