กวาด
sweep
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 sweep、sweep up
- 2 sweep up (awards, prizes, or goods)、take nearly all of
- 3 scan (an area with one's eyes)、sweep one's gaze across
Its core meaning is to move a broom or similar object across a surface to clear things away. It also extends to taking nearly everything available and moving one’s gaze across an area.
sweep、sweep up
To sweep across a surface, gathering or removing dust, trash, leaves, and similar material.
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ช่วยกวาดบ้านหน่อย chûay kwàat bâan nɔ̀ɔy Please sweep the house. ช่วยกวาดบ้านหน่อย details
sweep up (awards, prizes, or goods)、take nearly all of
Figuratively, to take or acquire a large share of what is available, often nearly all of it.
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ทีมนี้กวาดรางวัลไปห้ารางวัล thiim níi kwàat raaŋwan pay hâa raaŋwan This team swept up five awards. ทีมนี้กวาดรางวัลไปห้ารางวัล details
scan (an area with one's eyes)、sweep one's gaze across
To move one’s gaze across an area rather than focusing on one point, chiefly in the expression กวาดสายตา.
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image is a movement across an entire surface or area that gathers, removes, or covers what is there. In its basic use, the object may name either the surface or the material being swept: กวาดพื้น means “sweep the floor,” while กวาดใบไม้ means “sweep up leaves.” กวาดบ้าน normally refers to sweeping inside the house, especially its floors, rather than performing every kind of household cleaning. The same broad, sweeping image appears figuratively in กวาดรางวัล, “sweep up awards,” and กวาดสายตา, “scan an area with one’s eyes.” These are normal contemporary expressions used in conversation and the media.
Usage
It is most common when talking about sweeping floors, trash, or leaves at home, school, or work. Sports and entertainment reports use it for winning many awards or medals, while กวาดซื้อ appears when goods are bought up in large quantities. กวาดสายตา is used when someone quickly scans their surroundings.
Caution
กวาด does not cover cleaning in general. It is not normally used for washing dishes or wiping windows; use ทำความสะอาด or a more specific verb instead. In figurative uses, it suggests taking a large share or nearly everything available, so it is not the usual choice for winning just one award.
Differences from similar words
1 sweep synonyms
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ทำความสะอาด is the general verb for cleaning and can include washing, wiping, or sweeping. กวาด specifically describes a sweeping action.
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ปัด means to brush or flick dust or another object away, often with a short motion. กวาด involves sweeping across a broader surface to gather or remove material.
2 sweep up (awards, prizes, or goods) synonyms
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คว้า emphasizes winning or securing a particular prize or victory. กวาด suggests collecting multiple awards or gains across a field, often taking most of them.