โบก
wave (a hand, flag, etc.)
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 wave (a hand, flag, etc.)、hail (a taxi or other vehicle)
- 2 apply (mortar, cement, or plaster)、plaster (a surface)
This verb describes waving something such as a hand or flag, or spreading mortar, cement, or plaster over a surface.
wave (a hand, flag, etc.)、hail (a taxi or other vehicle)
To move a hand, flag, or similar object back and forth, often as a greeting, farewell, or signal to stop a vehicle.
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เขาโบกมือให้ฉัน khǎw bòok mʉʉ hây chǎn He waved to me. เขาโบกมือให้ฉัน details
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นักท่องเที่ยวพยายามโบกแท็กซี่เพื่อไปสนามบิน nák thɔ̂ɔŋ thîaw pháyaayaam bòok thɛ́ksîi phʉ̂a pay sanǎam bin The tourist tried to hail a taxi to the airport. นักท่องเที่ยวพยายามโบกแท็กซี่เพื่อไปสนามบิน details
apply (mortar, cement, or plaster)、plaster (a surface)
To spread mortar, cement, or plaster over a wall, hole, or other surface.
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ช่างกำลังโบกปูนอุดรูในผนัง châŋ kamlaŋ bòok puun ùt ruu nay phanǎŋ The worker is filling a hole in the wall with mortar. ช่างกำลังโบกปูนอุดรูในผนัง details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image is a broad back-and-forth movement. Common combinations include โบกมือ “wave one's hand” and โบกธง “wave a flag.” In โบกรถ or โบกแท็กซี่, the gesture is used to signal a vehicle or hail a taxi. โบกมือลา means to wave goodbye. A second important sense appears in โบกปูน: spreading mortar, cement, or plaster over a surface. Learners will find it helpful to treat this as a separate meaning from “wave.”
Usage
It is commonly used when waving to greet or say goodbye, signaling with a flag, or hailing a taxi or other vehicle from the roadside. In construction and repair contexts, it describes applying mortar or plaster to a wall or filling a hole with it.
Caution
Use ทา as the general verb for applying cream, medicine, or paint. When โบก is used with such substances in casual speech, it can suggest putting on a thick or excessive amount. To mean “hail,” it is normally followed by the vehicle, as in โบกรถ or โบกแท็กซี่.
Differences from similar words
1 wave (a hand, flag, etc.) synonyms
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สะบัด suggests a quick, forceful flick or shake, sometimes to throw something off. โบก more commonly describes a back-and-forth wave used for greeting or signaling.
2 apply (mortar, cement, or plaster) synonyms
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ฉาบ specifically refers to coating and finishing a surface with plaster or mortar. โบก also means spreading such material and can be used when filling a hole with it.
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ทา is the general verb for applying medicine, cream, paint, and similar substances. โบก primarily refers to spreading heavier building materials such as mortar or plaster.