เพลา
axle
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 axle、shaft
- 2 reduce (intensity or frequency)、subside、ease off
- 3 legs; thighs; lap [royal or literary]
This word primarily refers to an axle or mechanical shaft. It can also describe reducing intensity, and in formal royal language it may refer to the legs, thighs, or lap.
axle、shaft
A rod or central mechanical part that supports wheels or transmits rotation and power.
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เพลารถหัก pha law rót hàk The vehicle's axle broke. เพลารถหัก details
reduce (intensity or frequency)、subside、ease off
Describes making an intensity, frequency, or severity lower, or its becoming less intense and more moderate.
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ฝนเริ่มเพลาลง fǒn rə̂əm pha law loŋ The rain began to ease off. ฝนเริ่มเพลาลง details
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เรื่องผู้หญิงควรเพลาๆบ้าง rʉ̂aŋ phûu yǐŋ khuan phlaw phlaw bâaŋ You should ease up a bit when it comes to women. เรื่องผู้หญิงควรเพลาๆบ้าง details
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เพลาการล่าสัตว์ลงบ้าง pha law kaan lâa sàt loŋ bâaŋ Cut back somewhat on hunting animals. เพลาการล่าสัตว์ลงบ้าง details
legs; thighs; lap [royal or literary]
A formal royal or literary term for the legs, thighs, or lap, also used in descriptions of Buddha images.
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หน้าพระเพลากว้าง 23 เซนติเมตร nâa phrá pha law kwâaŋ yîisìp sǎam seentìmêet The width across the lap is 23 centimeters. หน้าพระเพลากว้าง 23 เซนติเมตร details
Learning notes
Explanation
The most practical meaning is an axle or shaft in a vehicle or machine. It refers to a part that supports rotating components or transfers mechanical power. As a verb, it describes bringing excessive force, severity, or frequency down to a more moderate level. It can be used both when something subsides naturally and when someone deliberately tones something down. It often appears with ลง. The anatomical sense belongs to elevated language. It is commonly seen as พระเพลา in references to royalty or Buddha images and may denote the legs, thighs, knees, or lap depending on context.
Usage
The mechanical sense is common in discussions of vehicles, machinery, engineering, and repairs. The verb is used when rain, fire, speed, severity, or the frequency of an activity is reduced. The anatomical sense occurs mainly in royal language, historical or literary writing, and descriptions of Buddha images.
Caution
The same spelling has another pronunciation meaning “time,” but that is a separate word and is not included here. For an ordinary person's leg in everyday speech, use ขา rather than เพลา.
Differences from similar words
1 axle synonyms
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แกน is a broad word for the center, core, or axis of something. เพลา more specifically refers to a mechanical axle or rotating shaft.
2 reduce (intensity or frequency) synonyms
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ผ่อน commonly means to relax, loosen, or lessen pressure and strain. เพลา focuses more on toning down intensity, severity, or frequency.
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ลด is the general word for reducing an amount, price, level, or degree. เพลา more often suggests easing an activity or bringing excessive intensity down to a moderate level.
3 legs; thighs; lap [royal or literary] synonyms
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ตัก is the usual word for someone's lap when seated. เพลา may refer to the same general area but belongs to royal or elevated literary usage.