Copy word

Thai

ห้องสมุด

Components

ห้อง
สมุด

Pronunciation

hɔ̂ŋ samùt

ห้องสมุด

hɔ̂ŋ samùt

library

A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.

  1. 1 library

This is the standard Thai word for a library, whether it is a separate building or a room within a school or another institution.

1

library

Noun⭐️4 Often used

A place where books and other materials are organized for reading, research, or borrowing. It can be a library building or a library room within a larger institution.

Learning notes

Explanation

ห้องสมุด is the standard general term for a library. It can refer to anything from a public library to a library room in a school, university, or workplace. It is formed from ห้อง (“room”) and สมุด (“notebook” or “booklet”), but the compound has the established meaning “library” and should not be interpreted literally as a room for notebooks. แห่ง can be used when counting libraries as places or institutions. ห้อง may be used when counting individual library rooms.

Usage

It is commonly used when talking about going to the library, borrowing or returning books, reading or studying there, and asking about its location or opening hours. It is natural in everyday conversation, signs, and institutional information.

Caution

Do not confuse ห้องสมุด with ร้านหนังสือ, which is a bookstore where books are sold. Also, ห้องสมุด does not normally mean a private study or home office; ห้องทำงาน is commonly used for that kind of room.

Differences from similar words

1 library synonyms

  • หอสมุด also means “library,” but it is more likely to refer to a major institution or appear in an official name. ห้องสมุด is the everyday general term and can also describe a small library room in a school or other building.

Component words

Share or cite this page

You are welcome to link to this page from blogs, social media, articles, and other materials. Quotations are welcome, too.

Send feedback

Let us know about errors, anything that seems unclear, or suggested corrections.

Content production and review

Thai content last reviewed

The Thai meaning, naturalness, examples, and pronunciation in this entry have been reviewed by a native Thai editor. We always welcome reports of errors and suggested corrections through the link above.

See our editorial and English localization process