ใย
fiber
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 fiber、filament、fine thread
This word refers to a fine fiber or threadlike strand and, by extension, an invisible bond connecting people or things. It most often appears as part of a compound.
fiber、filament、fine thread
A thin fiber, filament, or threadlike material, including the strands found in plants, food, textiles, and spiderwebs.
Learning notes
Explanation
The core image of ใย is a fine fiber or thread that stretches between or connects things. In modern Thai, it is more commonly found in compounds than used alone—for example, เส้นใย “fiber,” ใยอาหาร “dietary fiber,” and ใยแมงมุม “spider silk” or “spiderweb.” The image of a connecting thread also appears in words such as สายใย and เยื่อใย, which refer to emotional bonds or attachment. ห่วงใย is a verb meaning to care about or be concerned for someone.
Usage
You will often encounter ใยอาหาร on food labels and in health discussions, เส้นใย when talking about textiles, materials, or plants, and ใยแมงมุม when describing spiderwebs around a home. สายใย and เยื่อใย occur when discussing family bonds, affection, or attachment that remains after a separation.
Caution
Rather than using ใย by itself for “fiber” or “bond,” learn the established forms เส้นใย, สายใย, and เยื่อใย. In older writing or song lyrics, ใย may also mean “why,” but everyday modern Thai uses ทำไม.