น้ำท่วม

Explanation

The expression combines น้ำ, “water,” with ท่วม, “to overflow and cover.” Its central image is water spreading beyond its normal boundaries and covering an area. As a noun, it refers to a flood or flooding event. In predicate use, it describes a road, home, or other place becoming flooded. It is a common, neutral expression used for both major floods and ordinary street flooding caused by heavy rain or poor drainage.

Usage

Used when heavy rain, overflowing rivers, storms, or poor drainage leave roads, homes, or neighborhoods under water. It is common in everyday questions about local conditions as well as in weather forecasts, disaster reports, and official notices.

Caution

The expression covers not only major floods but also flooded streets and water entering buildings. It is not normally used for a small amount of spilled water. Word order matters: น้ำท่วมบ้าน means “water floods the house,” while บ้านน้ำท่วม means “the house is flooded.” Heavy rain alone is not น้ำท่วม unless water actually overflows or covers an area.

1 flood synonyms

• น้ำหลาก

  น้ำหลาก emphasizes a large volume of water surging or flowing into an area. น้ำท่วม more broadly describes the resulting flood or flooded condition.

• อุทกภัย

  อุทกภัย is a formal term for a flood disaster, common in news and official language. น้ำท่วม is the ordinary term used in both conversation and reporting.