ทึบ
opaque
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 opaque、poorly lit or ventilated、closed-in
- 2 dense、thickly grown
- 3 slow-witted、obtuse
Describes something that blocks light, air, or sight, or something packed so densely that little can pass through. Figuratively, it can also describe a person as slow to understand.
opaque、poorly lit or ventilated、closed-in
Describes something that does not let light, air, or sight pass through easily, making it opaque or closed-in.
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กระจกทึบ kracòk thʉ́p opaque glass กระจกทึบ details
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วัตถุทึบแสง wátthù thʉ́p sɛ̌ɛŋ an opaque object วัตถุทึบแสง details
dense、thickly grown
Describes vegetation, hair, or similar things growing so thickly that the space behind or beneath them is hard to see.
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ป่าทึบ pàa thʉ́p dense forest ป่าทึบ details
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ต้นไม้ขึ้นหนาทึบ tôn máay khʉ̂n nǎa thʉ́p The trees are growing densely. ต้นไม้ขึ้นหนาทึบ details
slow-witted、obtuse
Figuratively describes someone who is very slow to understand or think; when directed at another person, it can be insulting.
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เขาเป็นคนหัวทึบ khǎw pen khon hǔa thʉ́p He is slow-witted. เขาเป็นคนหัวทึบ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image of ทึบ is that spaces or pathways are blocked, preventing something from passing through. With glass or fabric, it means that light or sight cannot pass through. With a room, it suggests inadequate light or airflow and a closed-in feeling. With vegetation, it describes growth so dense that the view is blocked. It normally follows the noun it describes, as in กระจกทึบ “opaque glass,” ห้องทึบ “a closed-in room,” and ป่าทึบ “dense forest.” The same image extends figuratively to the mind: หัวทึบ describes someone as thick-headed or slow to understand.
Usage
Common contexts include describing whether glass or fabric is see-through, whether a room receives enough light and air, and how densely a forest or bush has grown. For a person's ability to understand, it is commonly used in the expression หัวทึบ.
Caution
ทึบ does not by itself mean that a sound is quiet. Also, calling someone หัวทึบ is a blunt criticism of their intelligence or ability to understand and can be quite insulting.
Differences from similar words
1 opaque synonyms
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มืด simply means “dark” because there is little light. ทึบ emphasizes that light or air is blocked by a material, walls, or a lack of openings.
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โปร่ง describes an airy, open, or light-permeable space or material and is the usual opposite of ทึบ in this sense.
2 dense synonyms
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ดก describes abundant hair, foliage, or fruit. ทึบ focuses more on density and the way the growth blocks the view.