เคารพ
respect
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 respect、pay respect to
- 2 respect
- 3 observe (a law or rule)、abide by (a law or rule)
This word means recognizing the worth, dignity, or authority of a person, principle, or rule and treating it accordingly. Depending on the object, it can mean “respect,” “honor,” or “observe.”
respect、pay respect to
To recognize a person’s status or worth and treat them with deference, or to show respect through one’s actions.
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เราควรเคารพผู้ใหญ่ raw khuan khawróp phûu yày We should respect our elders. เราควรเคารพผู้ใหญ่ details
Show more (1)
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ทุกคนยืนเคารพธงชาติ thúk khon yʉʉn khawróp thoŋ châat Everyone stands to show respect for the national flag. ทุกคนยืนเคารพธงชาติ details
respect
To recognize another person’s rights, views, boundaries, or choices without dismissing or violating them.
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ฉันเคารพความคิดเห็นของคุณ chǎn khawróp khwaam khít hěn khɔ̌ɔŋ khun I respect your opinion. ฉันเคารพความคิดเห็นของคุณ details
observe (a law or rule)、abide by (a law or rule)
To recognize the authority of a law or rule and act without violating it.
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ทุกคนต้องเคารพกฎหมาย thúk khon tɔ̂ŋ khawróp kòtmǎay Everyone must abide by the law. ทุกคนต้องเคารพกฎหมาย details
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กรุณาเคารพกฎของสถานที่นี้ karunaa khawróp kòt khɔ̌ɔŋ sàthǎanthîi níi Please observe the rules of this place. กรุณาเคารพกฎของสถานที่นี้ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central idea of เคารพ is recognizing that someone or something has worth, dignity, or authority and therefore should not be treated lightly. It is normally transitive and is followed by the object of respect. With a person, it usually means “respect” or “honor.” With rights, opinions, decisions, or personal boundaries, it means respecting them without dismissing or violating them. With laws and rules, it can mean observing or abiding by them. It can also describe formally showing respect to a symbol such as the national flag. The word is common in everyday Thai but has a somewhat serious tone and is especially frequent in discussions of manners, education, workplaces, social values, law, and ceremonies.
Usage
It is commonly used when speaking about respect for teachers, parents, elders, and other valued figures; showing ceremonial respect to a national symbol; respecting other people’s rights, opinions, privacy, or decisions; and asking people to observe laws or institutional rules.
Caution
เคารพความคิดเห็น means respecting an opinion, not necessarily agreeing with it. Also, เคารพ emphasizes treating someone with respect, whereas ชื่นชม expresses admiration or praise for qualities or achievements.
Differences from similar words
1 respect synonyms
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นับถือ focuses on regarding a person with admiration, respect, or trust. เคารพ has a broader range of objects and can also emphasize outwardly showing respect.
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ให้เกียรติ means treating someone courteously and preserving their dignity or status. เคารพ places more emphasis on recognizing and respecting the worth or authority of its object.
2 respect synonyms
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ยอมรับ means accepting or acknowledging a fact, situation, or opinion. เคารพ does not necessarily imply agreement or acceptance; it means treating the other person’s rights or views with due regard.
3 observe (a law or rule) synonyms
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ทำตาม is a general expression for following instructions, rules, or what someone says. เคารพ suggests recognizing a law or rule as authoritative and therefore not violating it.