ตัณหา
insatiable desire
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 insatiable desire、lust
This word describes a powerful craving that binds the mind to what it wants. In Buddhism, it specifically refers to craving as a cause of suffering.
insatiable desire、lust
Outside strictly Buddhist contexts, it refers to an overpowering and usually disapproved-of desire for money, power, pleasure, sex, or similar objects.
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เขาถูกตัณหาครอบงำ khǎw thùuk tanhǎa khrɔ̂ɔpŋam He is consumed by desire. เขาถูกตัณหาครอบงำ details
Learning notes
Explanation
ตัณหา is a Pali-derived word whose underlying image is a thirst-like craving for something. In Buddhist teaching, it is not simply a wish or preference. It is craving accompanied by attachment and regarded as a source of suffering. In broader usage, it describes a desire powerful enough to control a person and is usually judgmental or negative. It can mean sexual lust in the right context, but its meaning is not limited to sex.
Usage
It commonly appears in sermons, Buddhist writing, and discussions of morality or the causes of suffering. It is also used in commentary, news writing, and literature to criticize overpowering desire for money, power, pleasure, or sex. It is not the normal word for an ordinary everyday want.
Caution
For a neutral everyday want, อยาก or ต้องการ is usually more appropriate. Applying ตัณหา directly to a person can sound strongly condemning and may sometimes be understood as implying uncontrolled sexual desire.
Differences from similar words
1 insatiable desire synonyms
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ความโลภ is greed, especially wanting excessive possessions or gain. ตัณหา has a wider range and may involve pleasure, sex, status, or attachment to a particular state of being.
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ราคะ mainly refers to sexual passion or sensual lust. ตัณหา can have that meaning too, but it also covers compulsive desire for money, power, status, and other objects.