คับ
tight
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 tight、cramped
- 2 [casual spelling of the male polite particle ครับ]、yes [male speech; nonstandard spelling]
Its central image is a lack of room: something is too tight, cramped, or full for the available space. In casual online writing, it is also used as a nonstandard spelling of the male polite particle ครับ.
tight、cramped
Describes clothing, footwear, or a space that does not have enough room and therefore feels uncomfortably tight or cramped.
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เสื้อตัวนี้คับไป sʉ̂a tua níi kháp pay This shirt is too tight. เสื้อตัวนี้คับไป details
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รองเท้าคับ rɔɔŋtháaw kháp The shoes are tight. รองเท้าคับ details
Show more (1)
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ห้องนี้คับแคบ hɔ̂ŋ níi kháp khɛ̂ɛp This room feels cramped. ห้องนี้คับแคบ details
[casual spelling of the male polite particle ครับ]、yes [male speech; nonstandard spelling]
A casual, nonstandard spelling of ครับ, the polite particle commonly used by male speakers, especially in chats and social media.
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ได้คับ dâay kháp Yes, I can. ได้คับ details
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ขอบคุณคับ khɔ̀ɔpkhun kháp Thank you. ขอบคุณคับ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The basic image behind คับ is that there is not enough room. Clothing or footwear can be คับ when it is too small for the wearer, while a place can feel คับ when its occupants have insufficient space. Emotional constraint is usually expressed with the set phrase คับอกคับใจ, which describes feeling frustrated, stifled, or unable to act freely. In chats and social media, คับ has a separate use as a casual spelling of ครับ, the polite particle commonly used by male speakers.
Usage
It is commonly used when trying on clothes, checking shoe size, or describing a room or vehicle with too little space. คับอกคับใจ appears when someone feels emotionally constrained by a situation or relationship. As a polite particle spelling, คับ is mostly found in friendly messages, social media posts, and other casual online exchanges.
Caution
Use พอดี when something fits properly. คับ normally implies that it is uncomfortably or inconveniently too small; its opposite in this context is หลวม, “loose.” When writing the male polite particle in standard Thai, use ครับ, not คับ. The casual spelling คับ is unsuitable for business emails, official writing, and examinations.
Differences from similar words
1 tight synonyms
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แคบ describes something that is narrow or limited in width. คับ emphasizes that the available space is insufficient for the person or object occupying it.
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แน่น broadly means firm, tightly fastened, or densely packed. คับ more specifically describes something such as clothing or shoes that is too small and fits uncomfortably tightly.
2 [casual spelling of the male polite particle ครับ] synonyms
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ครับ is the standard spelling and is appropriate in polite speech and formal writing. คับ is an informal online spelling that can sound playful, friendly, or deliberately casual.