ของว่าง

Explanation

ของว่าง is formed from ของ (“thing”) and ว่าง (“free” or “unoccupied”), but in modern Thai it functions as a single word meaning food eaten between regular meals. It is not limited to sweets. Fruit, nuts, sandwiches, and small savory foods can all be ของว่าง when eaten as a snack or light refreshment. When counting it, Thai normally uses a classifier suited to the food or serving, such as หนึ่งอย่าง (“one kind”), หนึ่งชุด (“one set”), or หนึ่งจาน (“one plate”).

Usage

It is commonly used when talking about snacks at home, at work, or during a study break. It can also refer to refreshments served at meetings, seminars, hotels, and events.

Caution

It normally does not refer to a full breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It also does not mean beverages alone; to explicitly include drinks, say ของว่างและเครื่องดื่ม (“snacks and beverages”).

1 snack synonyms

• ขนม

  khanǒm sweets

  ขนม usually refers to sweets, desserts, or snack-type foods as a category. ของว่าง focuses on food's role as something eaten between meals, so it can also include fruit and savory foods.

• อาหารว่าง

  อาหารว่าง also means a snack or light refreshment and is especially common on menus, schedules, and in organized settings such as meetings. ของว่าง is a general term that sounds natural in everyday conversation as well.