ทรง

Explanation

The core image of ทรง connects a defined form with the idea of holding that form or state. As a noun, it describes a visible shape, cut, or silhouette. It is common in ทรงผม “hairstyle” and in patterns such as ทรงกลม “round or spherical in shape” and ทรงสี่เหลี่ยม “rectangular or square in shape.” As a verb, it is especially important in ทรงตัว “keep one's balance.” The same expression can describe figures or conditions remaining steady, as in ราคาทรงตัว “prices remain stable.” ทรง has a separate function in royal language. It respectfully marks an action or state of a royal person, with the exact meaning determined by the word that follows. Some dictionaries also record a sense meaning “remember” or “memorize,” but จำ is the normal choice in present-day everyday language, so that marginal sense is not treated as a core learner meaning here.

Usage

In everyday settings, ทรง is used to discuss the shape or silhouette of hairstyles, clothing, bags, furniture, and containers. ทรงตัว appears when talking about physical balance and in news reports describing stable prices or economic conditions. The royal-language use is common in royal news, official ceremonies, historical writing, and formal public documents. Expressions such as เข้าทรง and คนทรง occur in discussions of folk religion, rituals, mediums, festivals, and supernatural stories.

Caution

In royal language, ทรง cannot be added mechanically to every verb. Verbs that are already specifically royal, such as เสด็จ “proceed or go,” ประทับ “sit or stay,” and บรรทม “sleep,” normally do not take it. It is safest to learn established combinations as complete expressions. Also, ทรง in the sense of visible form is not always interchangeable with รูปร่าง, which often describes build or overall outline, or แบบ, which can mean a type, pattern, or method. For spirit possession, learn ทรง as part of established expressions such as เข้าทรง, คนทรง, and ทรงเจ้า.

1 shape synonyms

• รูปร่าง

  รูปร่าง commonly describes a person's build or an object's overall outline. ทรง more often highlights a designed shape, cut, or silhouette, such as that of hair, clothing, or a bag.

• แบบ

  bɛ̀ɛp type

  แบบ can refer broadly to a type, method, pattern, or design. ทรง focuses more specifically on a visible form or silhouette.

2 maintain synonyms

• คง

  khoŋ keep

  คง broadly expresses remaining or continuing in the same state. ทรง more strongly suggests stability or support and cannot freely replace คง in every context.

• รักษา

  ráksǎa maintain

  รักษา is the general verb for preserving or maintaining something. ทรง suggests holding something in a stable state and is often encountered in fixed expressions such as ทรงตัว.

4 be possessed by a spirit synonyms

• ผีเข้า

  ผีเข้า is a direct, everyday expression for being possessed by a ghost or spirit. เข้าทรง is more closely associated with ritual trance and a medium intentionally channeling a deity or spirit.