ตาย
die
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 die、pass away、wither and die (plants)
- 2 stop working、break down、go dead
- 3 be paralyzed、go numb、lose sensation
- 4 to death、so much、really
This is the basic word for life or function coming to an end. It can mean “to die,” but it is also used for machines stopping, body parts going numb or unusable, and colloquial exaggeration like “so much” or “to death.”
die、pass away、wither and die (plants)
Used when a person, animal, or plant stops living. For people, it sounds direct and plain rather than gentle.
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เขาตายแล้ว khǎw taay lɛ́ɛw He died. เขาตายแล้ว details
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หมาตายเมื่อวาน mǎa taay mʉ̂a waan The dog died yesterday. หมาตายเมื่อวาน details
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ต้นไม้ตาย tônmáay taay The tree died. ต้นไม้ตาย details
stop working、break down、go dead
Used colloquially when a machine, car, clock, or similar thing stops working or stops moving.
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นาฬิกาตาย naalíkaa taay The clock stopped working. นาฬิกาตาย details
be paralyzed、go numb、lose sensation
Used when a body part is numb, paralyzed, or unable to move or feel normally.
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แขนซ้ายของเขาตาย khɛ̌ɛn sáay khɔ̌ɔŋ khǎw taay His left arm is paralyzed. แขนซ้ายของเขาตาย details
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มือตาย mʉʉ taay My hand is numb and won’t move. มือตาย details
to death、so much、really
Placed after a verb or adjective in casual speech to exaggerate intensity, like “so,” “really,” or “to death.” It does not literally mean dying.
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ร้อนจะตาย rɔ́ɔn cà taay It’s so hot. ร้อนจะตาย details
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เหนื่อยแทบตาย nʉ̀ay thɛ̂ɛp taay I’m exhausted. เหนื่อยแทบตาย details
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น่าเบื่อจะตาย nâa bʉ̀a cà taay It’s so boring. น่าเบื่อจะตาย details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of ตาย is that life, function, or movement has come to an end. Its basic meaning is “to die,” but Thai also uses it naturally for plants dying, clocks or cars stopping, batteries going dead, and body parts becoming numb or paralyzed. When speaking about a person’s death, it is direct, so เสียชีวิต is usually safer in respectful situations. In everyday conversation, expressions like ร้อนจะตาย and เหนื่อยแทบตาย use ตาย as exaggeration, not literal death.
Usage
Use it when talking about death from illness, accidents, or natural causes; when animals or plants die; and casually when machines or batteries stop working. In friendly conversation, it is also common as an exaggerating word for heat, tiredness, boredom, and similar feelings.
Caution
ตายแล้ว! can literally mean “has died,” but in conversation it often works as an exclamation like “Oh no!” or “Good grief!” Interpret it from context rather than translating it literally every time.
Differences from similar words
1 die synonyms
2 stop working synonyms
3 be paralyzed synonyms
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ชา commonly means numb or tingling, often temporarily. ตาย is stronger and can suggest a body part is deadened, paralyzed, or unusable.
4 to death synonyms
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มาก is the neutral, broadly usable word for “very.” ตาย is casual and exaggerated, used to express a strong feeling.