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Thai

ก้อน

Pronunciation

kɔ̂ɔn

ก้อน

kɔ̂ɔn

lump

Native recording

Analyzing pitch…

  1. 1 lump、chunk、bodily lump
  2. 2 [classifier for lumps or chunks]
  3. 3 lump sum

This word presents something as a distinct, usually thick or roughly rounded mass. It can refer to lumps, chunks, clouds, or bodily lumps, and it also serves as their classifier. It is also used for money treated as one lump sum.

1

lump、chunk、bodily lump

Noun⭐️4 Often used

A distinct mass or chunk, often irregular in shape but perceived as one solid or compact unit.

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2

[classifier for lumps or chunks]

Classifier⭐️4 Often used

A classifier used to count things viewed as lumps, chunks, or compact masses, such as rocks, ice cubes, clouds, and bars of soap.

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3

lump sum

Noun⭐️3 Common

An extended use that treats money or another amount as one undivided, substantial sum.

Learning notes

Explanation

The core image of ก้อน is a distinct mass rather than loose or scattered material. The mass does not need to be spherical; the word works for rocks, chunks of ice, balls of soil, clouds, food lumps, and similar shapes. It appears before a material noun in expressions such as ก้อนหิน “a rock,” and after a noun in phrases such as น้ำแข็งก้อนใหญ่ “a large chunk of ice.” เป็นก้อน and จับตัวเป็นก้อน commonly describe something becoming lumpy or clumping together. As a classifier, the basic order is noun + number + ก้อน. With a demonstrative, the pattern is noun + ก้อน + demonstrative, as in เมฆก้อนนี้ “this cloud.” When used about the body, ก้อน or ก้อนเนื้อ can refer to a palpable lump or internal mass.

Usage

It is common when ordering or counting ice, describing lumps in cooking, and talking about rocks, clouds, bars of soap, or other compact objects. In health contexts it can describe a bodily lump. In financial contexts, เงินก้อน refers to money received, saved, invested, or paid as a single substantial sum.

Caution

ก้อน is not a general-purpose classifier for every small object. Use it only when something is naturally viewed as a lump, chunk, or compact mass; books, vehicles, and many other objects require their own classifiers. Unlike ชิ้น, which often presents something as a cut or separate piece, ก้อน emphasizes thickness and compact mass. In a medical or bodily context, ก้อนเนื้อ may be understood as a lump or mass rather than merely a piece of meat.

Differences from similar words

1 lump synonyms

  • ชิ้น is a general word or classifier for a separate piece, especially something cut or divided. ก้อน emphasizes a thick, compact, or lump-like mass.

3 lump sum synonyms

Component words

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