อุ้ม
carry in one's arms
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 carry in one's arms、pick up and hold、cradle
- 2 absorb、soak up、retain (water)
- 3 bail out、prop up、financially support
- 4 abduct、kidnap、carry off
This verb centers on lifting and holding someone or something against the body with the arms. It also extends to retaining a substance, propping someone or something up, and, in some contexts, abducting a person.
carry in one's arms、pick up and hold、cradle
To lift and support a person, animal, or other object in the arms, often carrying it against the body.
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แม่อุ้มลูก mɛ̂ɛ ûm lûuk The mother is holding her child in her arms. แม่อุ้มลูก details
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อุ้มหน่อย ûm nɔ̀ɔy Pick me up. อุ้มหน่อย details
absorb、soak up、retain (water)
To absorb and retain water or another substance within a material.
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ดินอุ้มน้ำได้ดี din ûm náam dâay dii The soil retains water well. ดินอุ้มน้ำได้ดี details
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ป่าไม้ช่วยอุ้มน้ำ pàamáay chûay ûm náam Forests help retain water. ป่าไม้ช่วยอุ้มน้ำ details
bail out、prop up、financially support
To keep a person, company, industry, or price from failing or falling, typically through financial or institutional support. This is an informal metaphor often seen in news coverage.
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รัฐอุ้มราคาน้ำมัน rát ûm raakhaa nám man The state is propping up fuel prices. รัฐอุ้มราคาน้ำมัน details
abduct、kidnap、carry off
An informal and serious use meaning to seize and take a person away against their will, especially in crime or political reporting.
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นักกิจกรรมถูกอุ้มหาย nákkìtcakam thùuk ûm hǎay The activist was abducted and forcibly disappeared. นักกิจกรรมถูกอุ้มหาย details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image is that of taking something into one's arms or against one's body and supporting it so that it does not fall. The basic use applies to babies, children, pets, and injured people. This image extends to soil or forests retaining water and to governments or institutions keeping a company or price afloat. อุ้มท้อง refers to carrying a child in the womb, while อุ้มบุญ is an established expression associated with surrogacy.
Usage
In everyday life, it is commonly used when picking up a child, holding a pet, or carrying an injured person. In gardening, agriculture, and environmental contexts, it describes water retention. In economic news, it can refer to bailouts or price support, while crime and political reporting may use it for abduction.
Caution
Use กอด for hugging someone by putting your arms around them. อุ้ม focuses on supporting, lifting, or carrying someone in the arms. With a person as the object, especially in expressions such as ถูกอุ้ม or อุ้มไป, context may change the meaning from ordinary carrying to abduction.
Differences from similar words
1 carry in one's arms synonyms
2 absorb synonyms
3 bail out synonyms
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ช่วยเหลือ is the broad, neutral verb for helping someone. อุ้ม suggests keeping a struggling person, business, or price afloat, often with money or government intervention.
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สนับสนุน neutrally means to support a person, activity, or idea. อุ้ม is more figurative and informal, suggesting that someone is being protected or kept from failing.