ดูเหมือน
look like
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 look like、appear to be、seem to look
- 2 seem、appear、look as though
This word expresses that something looks, appears, or seems a certain way based on what the speaker observes or infers.
look like、appear to be、seem to look
Used when someone or something looks like another person, thing, or condition based on appearance or impression.
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เขาดูเหมือนพ่อ khǎw duu mʉ̌an phɔ̂ɔ He looks like his father. เขาดูเหมือนพ่อ details
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วันนี้คุณดูเหมือนเหนื่อย wan níi khun duu mʉ̌an nʉ̀ay You look tired today. วันนี้คุณดูเหมือนเหนื่อย details
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บ้านหลังนี้ดูเหมือนโรงแรม bâan lǎŋ níi duu mʉ̌an rooŋ rɛɛm This house looks like a hotel. บ้านหลังนี้ดูเหมือนโรงแรม details
seem、appear、look as though
Used to say that something seems to be true based on signs, context, or the speaker’s impression, without stating it as a fact.
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ดูเหมือนฝนจะตก duu mʉ̌an fǒn cà tòk It looks like it’s going to rain. ดูเหมือนฝนจะตก details
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ดูเหมือนเขาไม่เข้าใจ duu mʉ̌an khǎw mây khâwcay It seems he doesn’t understand. ดูเหมือนเขาไม่เข้าใจ details
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ดูเหมือนว่าจะมีปัญหา duu mʉ̌an wâa cà mii panhǎa There seems to be a problem. ดูเหมือนว่าจะมีปัญหา details
Learning notes
Explanation
ดูเหมือน combines ดู “look/see” and เหมือน “same/similar.” Its core idea is that something appears a certain way from what the speaker can observe. It can be followed by a noun, a descriptive expression, or a clause. The form ดูเหมือนว่า... is common before a full clause. It presents an impression, not a firm fact.
Usage
It is common in everyday speech when describing how someone looks, how something appears, or what a situation seems to suggest. It is also useful in work or neutral explanations when the speaker wants to avoid sounding too certain.
Caution
Do not use it when you want to state a known fact directly. Also, do not limit it to physical resemblance; it is often used for broader inferences such as weather, problems, or someone’s likely feelings.
Differences from similar words
1 look like synonyms
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คล้าย means “similar” and focuses on resemblance. ดูเหมือน focuses more on the speaker’s impression: it appears that way.
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เหมือน means “same as” or “similar to” more directly. ดูเหมือน adds the sense of “it looks that way from observation.”
2 seem synonyms
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น่าจะ means “probably” or “likely.” ดูเหมือน suggests the conclusion comes from how things look or appear.