discover
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- 1 discover、find out
This word means to discover something previously unknown through searching, investigation, research, or experience.
discover、find out
To discover or become aware of an object, fact, ability, or other thing that was previously unknown.
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นักวิทยาศาสตร์ค้นพบดาวดวงใหม่ nák wítthayaasàat khón phóp daaw duaŋ mày Scientists discovered a new star. นักวิทยาศาสตร์ค้นพบดาวดวงใหม่ details
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ตำรวจค้นพบความจริง tamrùat khón phóp khwaam ciŋ The police discovered the truth. ตำรวจค้นพบความจริง details
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Learning notes
Explanation
ค้นพบ combines ค้น, “to search or investigate,” with พบ, “to find.” It suggests arriving at something previously unknown through searching, research, investigation, or experience. Its object may be concrete, such as a species, ancient city, planet, or medicine, or abstract, such as the truth, a cause, a talent, or one’s identity. The pattern ค้นพบว่า followed by a clause means to find out or discover that something is true. ถูกค้นพบ expresses “to be discovered,” while the related noun การค้นพบ means “discovery.”
Usage
It is common in science, history, archaeology, police investigations, and news reports when discussing newly discovered species, places, facts, or causes. It is also used for personal discoveries, such as recognizing one’s talent or learning something important about oneself.
Caution
For simply finding an everyday misplaced item such as a key, เจอ or หาเจอ is usually more natural. Also, ค้นหา describes the act of searching, whereas ค้นพบ indicates that a discovery was actually made.
Differences from similar words
1 discover synonyms
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ค้นหา refers to searching or looking for something and does not imply success. ค้นพบ means that the search or investigation resulted in an actual discovery.
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พบ has a broader range, including meeting, finding, and determining. ค้นพบ more specifically emphasizes the discovery of something previously unknown.
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เจอ is an everyday word for finding, encountering, or meeting someone or something. ค้นพบ emphasizes discovering something that was previously unknown.