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Thai

จับ

Pronunciation

càp

จับ

càp

touch

Native recording

Analyzing pitch…

  1. 1 touch、grab、hold、grasp
  2. 2 catch、capture、arrest
  3. 3 draw (a lot, number)、pick
  4. 4 capture、detect、pick up、sense
  5. 5 pair、match、group

จับ is built around the idea of getting hold of something, either physically or mentally. It can mean touching or holding something, catching or arresting someone, drawing a lot, handling a task or tool, pairing things, or capturing something with a camera or device.

1

touch、grab、hold、grasp

Verb⭐️5 Essential

This is the basic physical sense: touching, grabbing, holding, or taking hold of something with the hand.

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2

catch、capture、arrest

Verb⭐️4 Often used

This sense means to catch, capture, or arrest a person, animal, or suspect.

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3

draw (a lot, number)、pick

Verb⭐️3 Common

This sense means to draw or pick something such as a lot, number, or card.

4

capture、detect、pick up、sense

Verb⭐️3 Common

This sense means to capture, detect, or pick up something with a camera, machine, sensor, or attention.

Show more (1)
5

pair、match、group

Verb⭐️3 Common

This sense means to pair, match, or group people or things.

Learning notes

Explanation

The core idea of จับ is getting hold of something. Its basic use is physical touching or holding, but it extends naturally to catching a suspect, drawing lots, handling work or equipment, pairing people or things, and capturing images or signals. Common phrases include จับมือ “shake hands / hold hands,” จับปลา “catch fish,” จับสลาก “draw lots,” จับคู่ “pair up,” and จับภาพ “capture an image.” For possession, use มี, not จับ.

Usage

จับ is common in everyday conversation, shopping, school, work, news, and technical contexts. You will hear it when someone holds an object, tells someone not to touch something, talks about police arresting someone, pairs students in class, draws lots, or describes a camera or sensor capturing something.

Caution

Do not use จับ for every English “have” or “hold.” For possession, such as having a car or having time, use มี. Also, อย่าจับ is a direct “Don’t touch it,” and can sound strong when said to a person.

Differences from similar words

1 touch synonyms

2 catch synonyms

  • จับกุม is a more formal word for arresting or apprehending someone. จับ is the everyday, broader verb for catching or arresting.

  • ดักจับ means to catch by trapping or ambushing. จับ is the general verb and does not specify how the catching happens.

3 draw (a lot, number) synonyms

4 capture synonyms

  • ตรวจพบ means to find or discover through checking. จับ is more about a device, camera, or attention catching or picking something up.

  • มองเห็น means to see with the eyes. In phrases like จับภาพ or จับสัญญาณ, จับ means a device captures or picks something up.

5 pair synonyms

Component words

Other words containing จับ

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