sound (seem when heard)
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 sound (seem when heard)、seem from what one hears
- 2 try listening
It most often describes the impression something gives when heard, similar to “sound” or “seem.” It can also mean “listen and see” or “try listening” when ดู marks trying an action.
sound (seem when heard)、seem from what one hears
Describes how an idea, voice, or sound comes across to the listener, without stating that the impression is necessarily true.
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ฟังดูน่าสนใจ faŋ duu nâa sǒncay That sounds interesting. ฟังดูน่าสนใจ details
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เรื่องนี้ฟังดูแปลก ๆ rʉ̂aŋ níi faŋ duu plɛ̀ɛk plɛ̀ɛk This story sounds a little strange. เรื่องนี้ฟังดูแปลก ๆ details
try listening
Uses ดู after ฟัง to suggest trying to listen and then seeing what one thinks or what happens.
Learning notes
Explanation
ฟัง means “listen,” while ดู normally means “look.” Together, the most common use describes an impression formed from hearing something, much like English “sound”: ฟังดูดี means “sound good,” and ฟังดูแปลก means “sound strange.” ฟังดูเหมือนว่า... introduces a conclusion based on what was heard. In phrases such as ลองฟังดู, ดู instead acts as a trial marker, adding the idea of doing something to see what the result or impression will be. Here, the phrase means “try listening” or “listen and see.”
Usage
It is common when reacting to a proposal or plan, commenting that a story sounds unusual, or inferring someone’s feelings or condition from their voice. ลองฟังดู is also natural when inviting someone to try listening to music, a recording, or another sound.
Caution
ฟังดู does not simply mean that a sound is audible. Use ได้ยิน when asking whether someone can hear a sound. Its “sound/seem” use is based on auditory information, so it is generally not used for an impression formed only from appearance.
Differences from similar words
1 sound (seem when heard) synonyms
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ดูเหมือน means “seem” based on appearance, circumstances, or other evidence. ฟังดู specifically presents an impression based on what is heard.