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Thai

คลี่

Pronunciation

khlîi

คลี่

khlîi

unfold

Native recording

Analyzing pitch…

  1. 1 unfold、spread out、unroll
  2. 2 unravel、untangle、work out (a problem)

คลี่ is a verb for opening something out from a folded, rolled, or tangled state. It mainly means to unfold or spread something out, and it can also describe unraveling a problem or a complicated situation.

1

unfold、spread out、unroll

Verb⭐️3 Common

This sense means to unfold, unroll, or spread out something that was folded, rolled, or closed.

Show more (2)
2

unravel、untangle、work out (a problem)

Verb⭐️2 Not often used

This sense means to unravel a complicated matter, making it clearer or moving it toward resolution.

Show more (1)

Learning notes

Explanation

The core image of คลี่ is taking something folded, rolled, closed, or tangled and opening it out so it becomes visible or manageable. It fits objects such as cloth, paper, maps, letters, fans, and cards. Figuratively, it appears in useful expressions like คลี่ปม, “to unravel a mystery or key issue,” and คลี่คลาย, “to ease or move toward resolution.” It is a normal word used in both everyday speech and more formal reporting.

Usage

In daily life, it is used when unfolding or opening out maps, cloth, letters, fans, and similar objects. In news or explanatory writing, it often appears when a mystery, conflict, or confused situation is gradually clarified or begins to calm down.

Caution

Do not use คลี่ for opening a door, opening a shop, or turning on a light; เปิด is the normal verb there. For “solve a problem,” แก้ปัญหา is the safest general expression, while คลี่ is better when the idea is unraveling something complicated.

Differences from similar words

1 unfold synonyms

2 unravel synonyms

Component words

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