จิ้งจก
house gecko
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 house gecko
It refers to a small gecko commonly seen on walls and ceilings in and around homes.
house gecko
A small gecko that lives around buildings, clings to walls, and eats insects.
Learning notes
Explanation
These geckos are a familiar sight in Thai homes and other buildings. They are often seen near lights at night, feeding on insects. The word does not identify just one species. It is an ordinary, neutral animal name and does not itself express fear or disgust. Use the classifier ตัว when counting: จิ้งจกหนึ่งตัว means “one gecko,” and จิ้งจกตัวนี้ means “this gecko.”
Usage
Use it when pointing out a gecko in a house or hotel, discussing animals found around the home, or talking about how you feel about them.
Caution
Although some dictionaries give “lizard,” จิ้งจก is more specific: it refers to small geckos, not lizards or reptiles in general.
Differences from similar words
1 house gecko synonyms
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ตุ๊กแก usually refers to a tokay gecko or a similar large gecko. จิ้งจก refers to the small house geckos commonly seen on walls, so the names are generally not interchangeable.