คบชู้
have an affair
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 have an affair、commit adultery
Describes having a secret romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than one’s spouse, with a strongly disapproving tone.
have an affair、commit adultery
Means to carry on an adulterous relationship while married to someone else.
-
เขาคบชู้กับเพื่อนร่วมงาน khǎw khóp chúu kàp phʉ̂an rûam ŋaan He is having an affair with a coworker. เขาคบชู้กับเพื่อนร่วมงาน details
Learning notes
Explanation
The expression combines คบ, “to associate with or date,” and ชู้, “a lover or affair partner.” Its basic image is therefore “to maintain a relationship with an affair partner.” It often suggests an ongoing illicit relationship rather than a single incident. The word carries clear moral disapproval and is not a light or neutral description. Traditional definitions and older examples often apply it especially to an unfaithful wife, but in modern contexts it may also be used for a man having an affair.
Usage
Common in discussions of marital conflict, divorce, accusations of adultery, and secret relationships in news reports or dramas. The usual pattern is คบชู้กับ followed by the affair partner.
Caution
This primarily refers to adultery involving a married person. For ordinary dating between unmarried people, use คบกัน or เป็นแฟนกัน. Because it makes a serious and damaging accusation, avoid using it casually when the facts are uncertain.
Differences from similar words
1 have an affair synonyms
-
นอกใจ broadly means being unfaithful to a partner and can cover various forms of romantic betrayal. คบชู้ more specifically refers to carrying on an adulterous relationship while married.
-
มีชู้ focuses on having a lover or affair partner. คบชู้ focuses more on carrying on the adulterous relationship with that person.