แม้
although
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 although、even if、even though
- 2 even、even so much as [in negatives]
แม้ introduces a concession like “although/even if,” or highlights an unexpected extreme case like “even.”
although、even if、even though
Introduces a condition or fact that might be expected to change the result, but the main statement still holds.
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แม้ฝนตก เขาก็ไปทำงาน mɛ́ɛ fǒn tòk khǎw kɔ̂ɔ pay thamŋaan Even if it rains, he goes to work. แม้ฝนตก เขาก็ไปทำงาน details
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แม้ว่าเขาจะเหนื่อย เขาก็ยังอ่านหนังสือ mɛ́ɛ wâa khǎw cà nʉ̀ay khǎw kɔ̂ɔ yaŋ àan nǎŋsʉ̌ʉ Although he is tired, he is still reading. แม้ว่าเขาจะเหนื่อย เขาก็ยังอ่านหนังสือ details
even、even so much as [in negatives]
Emphasizes an unexpected or extreme example, especially in the pattern แม้แต่ “even.”
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of แม้ is accepting a condition or case and still continuing with the main point. In concessive clauses, common patterns include แม้...ก็..., แม้ว่า...ก็..., and แม้จะ...แต่.... For emphasis, แม้แต่ is especially important and means “even,” pointing to an unexpected example. In negative sentences, แม้แต่, แม้สัก, and แม้เพียง can strongly mean “not even.”
Usage
It is common in conversation, explanations, news, and writing. Use it when something remains true despite a condition, when including a surprising extreme case, or when strongly saying that not even a small amount exists.
Caution
แม้ is not a general sentence-opening “but.” Use แต่ for that. Also, แม้แต่ means “even,” not “only.”
Differences from similar words
1 although synonyms
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ถึงแม้ makes the concessive meaning more explicit and is common in both speech and writing. แม้ is shorter and often appears in set patterns or written-style sentences.
2 even synonyms
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กระทั่ง can also mean “up to” or “even.” แม้ is clearest in forms like แม้แต่ and แม้กระทั่ง, where it strongly marks an unexpected extreme example.