ต่าง
different
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 different、not the same
- 2 each、separately、individually
- 3 various、many kinds of、different kinds of
ต่าง is built around the idea of being separate or not the same. It is used for differences, for “each separately,” for “various,” and in common compounds meaning foreign or outside.
different、not the same
Describes things as not the same when comparing people, ideas, qualities, types, or situations.
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เขาต่างจากคนอื่น khǎw tàaŋ càak khon ʉ̀ʉn He is different from other people. เขาต่างจากคนอื่น details
each、separately、individually
Shows that multiple people or things each do something separately or each have the same state.
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ทุกคนต่างทำงานหนัก thúk khon tàaŋ tham ŋaan nàk Everyone is working hard in their own way. ทุกคนต่างทำงานหนัก details
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ต่างคนต่างอยู่ tàaŋ khon tàaŋ yùu Each person lives separately and minds their own business. ต่างคนต่างอยู่ details
various、many kinds of、different kinds of
In the form ต่าง ๆ, it means that there are various kinds or examples. It normally follows the noun.
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อาหารต่าง ๆ aahǎan tàaŋ tàaŋ various kinds of food อาหารต่าง ๆ details
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เขาไปประเทศต่าง ๆ khǎw pay prathêet tàaŋ tàaŋ He went to various countries. เขาไปประเทศต่าง ๆ details
Learning notes
Explanation
ต่าง is a core word built from the idea of being separate or not the same. For comparison, the most useful patterns are ต่างกัน “different from each other” and ต่างจาก... “different from...”. The form ต่าง ๆ follows a noun and means “various.” For the noun “difference,” use ความต่าง or ความแตกต่าง. Older meanings related to pack-saddles and carrying loads exist, but they are not a priority for everyday learners.
Usage
It is common in comparisons of opinions, qualities, methods, countries, and types. It also appears in patterns like ต่างคนต่าง... for “each person separately...,” noun + ต่าง ๆ for “various...,” and compounds such as ต่างประเทศ and ต่างชาติ when talking about foreign countries or foreigners.
Caution
ต่าง ๆ normally comes after the noun, not before it. To say “A is different from B,” use A ต่างจาก B or A ไม่เหมือน B. Learners should first master common patterns rather than using ต่าง by itself everywhere.
Differences from similar words
1 different synonyms
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แตกต่าง often sounds more explicit or formal, meaning “to differ” or “be distinct.” ต่าง is the more basic everyday word and is very common in short comparison patterns.
2 each synonyms
3 various synonyms
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หลาย focuses on there being several or many. ต่าง ๆ focuses more on variety, meaning different kinds or examples.