ทื่อ
blunt
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 blunt、dull、not sharp
- 2 dull-witted、slow to understand、obtuse
ทื่อ describes a lack of sharpness. It can mean a blade or point is blunt, a person’s thinking is dull, or a pain feels dull rather than sharp.
blunt、dull、not sharp
Used for a blade, edge, or point that is not sharp and does not cut or pierce well.
-
มีดทื่อ mîit thʉ̂ʉ a blunt knife มีดทื่อ details
-
ดินสอทื่อแล้ว dinsɔ̌ɔ thʉ̂ʉ lɛ́ɛw The pencil has gone blunt. ดินสอทื่อแล้ว details
dull-witted、slow to understand、obtuse
Describes someone or someone’s mind as slow, dull, or not quick to understand. It can sound insulting when used about another person.
-
เขาเป็นคนหัวทื่อ khǎw pen khon hǔa thʉ̂ʉ He is slow to understand. เขาเป็นคนหัวทื่อ details
-
วันนี้สมองทื่อ wan níi samɔ̌ɔŋ thʉ̂ʉ My brain feels dull today. วันนี้สมองทื่อ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea is “not sharp.” In the physical sense, it is used for things like มีดทื่อ, a blunt knife, or ดินสอทื่อ, a pencil with a dull point. Figuratively, หัวทื่อ and สมองทื่อ describe a lack of mental sharpness. With pain, ปวดทื่อ ๆ means a dull, heavy ache rather than a sharp pain.
Usage
It is common in everyday speech when talking about knives, scissors, pencils, or other things that are no longer sharp. It is also used when describing mental sluggishness, especially about yourself, and when explaining a dull physical ache.
Caution
Be careful using หัวทื่อ about another person, because it can sound insulting. Some dictionaries also list a sense like “rush straight in,” but learners should prioritize the common meanings above.
Differences from similar words
1 blunt synonyms
-
ทู่ also means blunt or not sharp, especially for edges and points. ทื่อ can be used the same way, but it also extends to mental dullness and other figurative uses.
2 dull-witted synonyms
-
ทึ่ม describes someone as dim or not very bright and often sounds like an insult. ทื่อ focuses on the idea of lacking sharpness, especially in understanding or mental quickness.
-
โง่ is a more direct word for stupid. ทื่อ is more like mentally dull or not sharp, but it can still be rude when said about someone else.