สิ่ง
thing
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 thing、item、matter、object
A broad word for a thing, whether physical or abstract. It is used when referring to an object, matter, idea, or point without naming it directly.
thing、item、matter、object
Refers broadly to a thing, item, matter, or idea. In the pattern สิ่งที่..., it means “the thing that...” or “what...”.
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สิ่งนี้คืออะไร? sìŋ níi khʉʉ aray What is this? สิ่งนี้คืออะไร? details
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สิ่งสำคัญคือเวลา sìŋ sǎmkhan khʉʉ weelaa The important thing is time. สิ่งสำคัญคือเวลา details
Learning notes
Explanation
สิ่ง is close to “thing” in English and can refer to both physical objects and abstract matters. A key pattern is สิ่งที่ + clause, meaning “the thing that...” or “what...”. For example, สิ่งที่เขาพูด means “what he said,” and สิ่งที่จำเป็น means “what is necessary” or “necessary things.” In casual speech, ของ is often more natural for ordinary belongings or physical items, while สิ่ง is very common in explanations, opinions, formal writing, news, and classroom language.
Usage
Used often in explanations, opinions, writing, lessons, news, and business-style language. It is useful when referring generally to “the important thing,” “necessary things,” “the right thing,” or “what someone said” without naming a specific object or topic.
Caution
Do not translate every abstract “thing” automatically as สิ่ง. When turning an action into a noun, Thai often uses การ + verb instead. Also, for counting concrete objects, use the classifier that fits the noun; treating สิ่ง as a universal classifier can sound unnatural.
Differences from similar words
1 thing synonyms
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ของ is a common everyday word for physical things, belongings, or goods. สิ่ง can also refer to physical things, but it more naturally covers abstract matters such as ideas, statements, and important points.
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อย่าง often relates to kind, type, manner, or one item among a set. สิ่ง points to the thing or matter itself and is especially common in noun-like phrases such as “the important thing” or “what was said.”
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เรื่อง usually refers to a topic, matter, issue, story, or event. สิ่ง is broader and can refer to any thing or matter, not only a topic or event.