บอก
tell
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- 1 tell、inform、let someone know、tell someone (information, directions, how to do something)
- 2 indicate、show、be a sign of
บอก is a very common verb for giving someone information so they know it. It covers “tell,” “inform,” “let someone know,” and sometimes “show someone how” or “give directions.”
tell、inform、let someone know、tell someone (information, directions, how to do something)
This sense means to tell or inform someone of something. It focuses on passing information to a listener, not just speaking aloud.
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เขาบอกว่าไม่ว่าง khǎw bɔ̀ɔk wâa mây wâaŋ He said he was busy. เขาบอกว่าไม่ว่าง details
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อย่าบอกใครนะ yàa bɔ̀ɔk khray ná Don’t tell anyone. อย่าบอกใครนะ details
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บอกทางให้หน่อย bɔ̀ɔk thaaŋ hây nɔ̀ɔy Please tell me the way. บอกทางให้หน่อย details
indicate、show、be a sign of
This sense is used when a sign, number, expression, or situation indicates something. The subject is often not a person speaking.
Learning notes
Explanation
บอก is one of the most useful everyday Thai verbs. Its core idea is giving information to someone. Common patterns include บอก + person + message, บอกว่า + clause, and บอกให้ + person + verb. It can mean “tell someone how” or “give directions,” but for teaching a subject or skill systematically, สอน is the better word.
Usage
Use บอก when sharing plans or information, passing on a message, asking someone not to tell a secret, giving directions or instructions, or saying that a parent, teacher, or doctor told someone to do something. It works in both casual and polite situations.
Caution
For “teach Thai,” use สอนภาษาไทย, not บอกภาษาไทย. Also, บอกให้ can sound like an instruction, so with someone senior or in a polite situation it is better to soften it with a request form.
Differences from similar words
1 tell synonyms
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พูด means to speak or talk in general. บอก is more about telling someone specific information, often with a listener or message attached.
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สอน means to teach systematically, such as a subject or skill. บอก is used when giving someone a piece of information, an answer, directions, or instructions.
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แจ้ง means to notify or inform and sounds more formal, often used in official or business contexts. บอก is the everyday word for telling someone.
2 indicate synonyms
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บ่งบอก means to clearly indicate or reveal and can sound a bit more written or explanatory than บอก in this sense.
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แสดง broadly means to show or display and can be intentional. บอก in this sense often means that an expression, number, or situation naturally indicates something.