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Thai

ค้ำ

Pronunciation

khám

ค้ำ

khám

prop up

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  1. 1 prop up、support、brace、hold up
  2. 2 guarantee、act as a guarantor、secure (a loan or obligation)

ค้ำ means to prop or support something so it does not fall or collapse. By extension, it is also used for guaranteeing a loan, contract, or obligation.

1

prop up、support、brace、hold up

Verb⭐️3 Common

Used when something is physically held, propped, or braced so it does not fall, collapse, or give way.

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2

guarantee、act as a guarantor、secure (a loan or obligation)

Verb⭐️2 Not often used

Used for backing a financial or legal obligation, especially by acting as a guarantor or providing security. The common practical form is ค้ำประกัน.

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Learning notes

Explanation

The core image of ค้ำ is preventing something from falling by supporting or bracing it. It can describe a pole supporting a tree, a hand bracing against a wall, or a prop holding a door. In legal and financial contexts, it extends to backing an obligation, most commonly in ค้ำประกัน, meaning to guarantee or act as a guarantor. It carries a stronger sense of support or responsibility than simply helping.

Usage

Commonly used when talking about physically supporting trees, posts, doors, structures, or one’s body. It is also common in loans, leases, contracts, collateral, and guarantor situations through expressions like ค้ำประกัน and ผู้ค้ำประกัน.

Caution

For ordinary “help,” ช่วย is usually more natural, and for general support of an activity or cause, สนับสนุน is often better. For legal or financial guarantees, use ค้ำประกัน rather than relying on ค้ำ alone.

Differences from similar words

1 prop up synonyms

2 guarantee synonyms

  • ประกัน can mean to insure or guarantee in a general sense. ค้ำ, especially in ค้ำประกัน, focuses on backing someone’s obligation as a guarantor or with collateral.

  • รับรอง is a broader verb meaning to certify, assure, or vouch for something. ค้ำ is more specific to backing an obligation, especially in loans or contracts.

Component words

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