earwax
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 earwax、cerumen
This is the everyday Thai word for earwax, the waxy buildup inside the ear. It combines ขี้, used for bodily waste or residue, with หู, meaning “ear.”
earwax、cerumen
Refers to earwax or waxy discharge that builds up in the ear. It is a normal everyday word and can also be used in medical contexts.
-
ขี้หูเยอะ khîi hǔu yə́ There is a lot of earwax. ขี้หูเยอะ details
-
แคะขี้หู khɛ́ khîi hǔu to pick out earwax แคะขี้หู details
Show more (1)
-
หมอบอกว่ามีขี้หูอุดตัน mɔ̌ɔ bɔ̀ɔk wâa mii khîi hǔu ùttan The doctor said there was impacted earwax. หมอบอกว่ามีขี้หูอุดตัน details
Learning notes
Explanation
ขี้หู is formed from ขี้, a word for bodily waste or residue, and หู, “ear.” Although ขี้ can sound crude when used alone, ขี้หู is a normal fixed word for earwax. A common verb with it is แคะ, “to pick out,” as in แคะขี้หู, “to pick out earwax.” It is usually treated as an amount, though ก้อน can be used when referring to lumps of earwax.
Usage
It is used when talking about cleaning ears, caring for children, blocked ears, reduced hearing, or visits to an ear doctor.
Caution
Because it refers to bodily residue, it can feel unpleasant in formal settings or during meals. For a softer way to say “clean the ears,” use ทำความสะอาดหู.
Differences from similar words
1 earwax synonyms
-
ขี้หูอุดตัน means impacted or blocked earwax. ขี้หู by itself simply means earwax.