หยอก
tease playfully
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 tease playfully、kid、joke with
Describes playfully teasing or joking with someone to get a reaction, usually without serious intent.
tease playfully、kid、joke with
Means to playfully tease, joke with, or lightly provoke someone rather than act seriously.
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แค่หยอกเล่น khɛ̂ɛ yɔ̀ɔk lên I was just teasing. แค่หยอกเล่น details
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อย่าหยอกน้องแรงนะ yàa yɔ̀ɔk nɔ́ɔŋ rɛɛŋ ná Don't tease your younger sibling too harshly. อย่าหยอกน้องแรงนะ details
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ฉันพูดหยอกเฉยๆ chǎn phûut yɔ̀ɔk chə̌əy chə̌əy I was only joking. ฉันพูดหยอกเฉยๆ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core image of หยอก is playfully provoking someone—through words or small actions—and enjoying their reaction. It can describe verbal teasing as well as light physical play. Common patterns include หยอกเล่น (“tease for fun”), พูดหยอก (“say something jokingly”), and หยอกกัน (“tease each other” or “play around together”). In a romantic context, it can suggest playful flirting or affectionate teasing. That implication comes mainly from the relationship and situation rather than from a separate basic meaning of the verb.
Usage
It is common among friends exchanging jokes, family members playfully teasing children or younger siblings, and couples engaging in affectionate banter. It is also used to clarify that a remark or action was only meant as a joke.
Caution
The word normally suggests harmless fun, but calling something หยอก does not make it acceptable if the other person feels uncomfortable. Romantic or physical teasing can sound inappropriate when directed at someone you do not know well.
Differences from similar words
1 tease playfully synonyms
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ล้อ often involves making fun of a person's appearance, traits, or mistakes and can sound more mocking. หยอก more strongly suggests lighthearted teasing between people who are comfortable with each other.
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เย้า also means to tease in a joking way, but it can feel more expressive or somewhat more literary than หยอก. หยอก is common for ordinary playful teasing.
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แกล้ง focuses on playing a trick on someone or deliberately bothering them. หยอก is lighter teasing intended to get a playful reaction, not necessarily to cause trouble.