keep doing nothing but...
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- 1 keep doing nothing but...、focus only on...
It indicates focusing exclusively on one action or concern while neglecting other things. It often carries criticism, frustration, or concern, much like “keep doing nothing but...”
keep doing nothing but...、focus only on...
Used before a verb or verb phrase, it shows that someone keeps focusing on that one thing to the exclusion of other actions or concerns.
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เขาเอาแต่นอน khǎw aw tɛ̀ɛ nɔɔn He does nothing but sleep. เขาเอาแต่นอน details
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อย่าเอาแต่เล่นเกม yàa aw tɛ̀ɛ lên keem Don't just play video games all the time. อย่าเอาแต่เล่นเกม details
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Learning notes
Explanation
The usual pattern is เอาแต่ followed by a verb or verb phrase. Its core image is repeatedly or exclusively choosing one action while leaving other things aside. It often implies that something else should also be done, so it can express frustration or criticism. Depending on the context, however, it may instead show concern about someone who keeps crying, stays silent, or behaves unusually. Two useful everyday patterns are อย่าเอาแต่ + verb, meaning “don't keep doing nothing but...,” and เอาแต่ A ไม่ B, meaning “keep doing A without doing B.”
Usage
It is common when pointing out that a family member, friend, or coworker keeps playing instead of studying, talks without listening, or thinks without acting. It can also describe policies or decisions that focus on one goal while overlooking other concerns.
Caution
เอาแต่ is not a general replacement for every use of “only.” For neutral limits on amount or scope, แค่, เพียง, or อย่างเดียว may be more appropriate. Because เอาแต่ often implies excessive or misplaced focus, using it about someone can sound critical.
Differences from similar words
1 keep doing nothing but... synonyms
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มัวแต่ emphasizes being preoccupied with something, often causing another necessary action to be delayed or neglected. เอาแต่ more generally describes concentrating repeatedly or exclusively on one thing.
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อย่างเดียว neutrally limits something to “only that.” เอาแต่ more often suggests excessive focus on one thing while other things are being neglected.