ธง
flag
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 flag
A general word for a flag used to represent a country or group, or to give a visible signal.
flag
A piece of cloth displayed on a pole or rope to represent a country or group, mark affiliation, or communicate a signal.
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เขาชักธงขึ้น khǎw chák thoŋ khʉ̂n He raised the flag. เขาชักธงขึ้น details
Learning notes
Explanation
ธง is the general word for flags, including national flags, organizational flags, and flags used for signals in sports, traffic, or other settings. ธงชาติ means “national flag,” and ธงชาติไทย means “the Thai national flag.” The standard classifier for a flag is ผืน, the classifier used for flat pieces of cloth. For example, ธงหนึ่งผืน means “one flag.” In the expression ตั้งธงว่า..., the image of setting up a flag is extended to mean setting a goal, policy, or working assumption. When it concerns a judgment about someone, it can imply deciding the conclusion in advance. This figurative meaning mainly belongs to the full expression ตั้งธง; the basic meaning of ธง by itself is “flag.”
Usage
It is commonly used when talking about national flags, school ceremonies, festivals, sports, warning signals, and symbols of organizations or teams. In planning and discussion, it also appears in ตั้งธงว่า... when stating a goal or an initial assumption.
Caution
ธง does not specifically mean a national flag; use ธงชาติ when that distinction matters. Also, it is not normally used as a direct translation of the computing term “flag.”
Differences from similar words
1 flag synonyms
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ป้าย is a sign, notice, or label that presents information in words or images. ธง specifically refers to a flag displayed on a pole or rope.