ตึก
building
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 building、block or wing (of a facility)
- 2 [classifier for buildings]
An everyday word for a solid building, especially a multistory urban building or a particular block or wing of a larger facility. It can also serve as a classifier meaning “building.”
building、block or wing (of a facility)
A solid structure such as a city building, school block, or hospital wing, often—but not necessarily—with multiple stories.
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ตึกนี้มีสิบชั้น tʉ̀k níi mii sìp chán This building has ten floors. ตึกนี้มีสิบชั้น details
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เธอเรียนอยู่ตึกไหน thəə rian yùu tʉ̀k nǎy Which building does she study in? เธอเรียนอยู่ตึกไหน details
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เขาทำงานอยู่ตึกข้าง ๆ khǎw tham ŋaan yùu tʉ̀k khâaŋ khâaŋ He works in the building next door. เขาทำงานอยู่ตึกข้าง ๆ details
[classifier for buildings]
A classifier used to count buildings, equivalent to “building” in expressions such as “three buildings.” The more general classifier หลัง is also widely used.
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ตึกสามตึก tʉ̀k sǎam tʉ̀k three buildings ตึกสามตึก details
Learning notes
Explanation
ตึก is an everyday noun for a solid structure, traditionally associated with brick, masonry, or concrete. Although it often corresponds to “building” or “city building,” it is not limited to offices or commercial properties. It can refer to a school block, hospital wing, apartment building, or another substantial structure. ตึกสามชั้น means “a three-story building”: ตึก identifies the building, while ชั้น identifies its floors. Buildings are commonly counted with หลัง, as in ตึกสองหลัง, “two buildings.” Dictionaries also recognize ตึก itself as a classifier, though หลัง is the more useful general choice for learners.
Usage
It is common when identifying buildings in a city, giving directions to a particular school or hospital block, or talking about the building where someone works or lives.
Caution
ตึก is not the usual word for “home” or an ordinary house viewed as someone’s residence; บ้าน is normally used in that sense. Also distinguish ตึกสามชั้น, “a three-story building,” from ชั้นสาม, “the third floor.”
Differences from similar words
1 building synonyms
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อาคาร is a broader, more neutral term common in signs, formal writing, architecture, and real estate. ตึก is more conversational and often suggests a specific solid building, city building, or block within a facility.
2 [classifier for buildings] synonyms
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หลัง is the standard general classifier for houses and buildings and is commonly used with ตึก. Classifier ตึก instead repeats the building noun itself after the number.