train
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- 1 train
This is the general Thai word for a train that carries passengers or freight along railway tracks.
train
A connected set of railway vehicles that travels on tracks, including a train viewed as a means of transportation.
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ขึ้นรถไฟ khʉ̂n rót fay get on a train ขึ้นรถไฟ details
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ลงรถไฟ loŋ rót fay get off a train ลงรถไฟ details
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รถไฟออกกี่โมง rót fay ɔ̀ɔk kìi mooŋ What time does the train leave? รถไฟออกกี่โมง details
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ฉันนั่งรถไฟไปเชียงใหม่ chǎn nâŋ rót fay pay chiaŋmày I’m taking the train to Chiang Mai. ฉันนั่งรถไฟไปเชียงใหม่ details
Learning notes
Explanation
รถไฟ is the everyday, neutral noun for a train running on railway tracks. It can refer to either a passenger train or a freight train. The word is formed from รถ, “vehicle,” and ไฟ, “fire” or “electricity.” In modern usage, however, it does not specify whether the train is powered by steam, diesel, or electricity. Common combinations include ขึ้นรถไฟ, “get on a train,” ลงรถไฟ, “get off a train,” and นั่งรถไฟ, “ride or travel by train.” The usual classifier for complete trains is ขบวน: รถไฟสองขบวน means “two trains.” An individual railway car is called ตู้รถไฟ and is counted with ตู้.
Usage
This word is common when discussing train travel or commuting, asking about tickets and departure times at a station, or talking about freight transportation and railway news. It is especially natural for conventional intercity trains.
Caution
รถไฟ does not always correspond to an urban electric train. Bangkok systems such as the BTS and MRT are normally called รถไฟฟ้า. Also, รถไฟ refers to the train itself; use ทางรถไฟ when specifically referring to the railway or tracks.
Differences from similar words
1 train synonyms
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รถไฟฟ้า commonly refers to an electric urban rail service such as the BTS or MRT. รถไฟ is the broader word for a train regardless of how it is powered and is commonly used for conventional intercity rail.