คอ
neck
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 neck、throat
- 2 neck-shaped part、collar; neckline
- 3 enthusiast、fan; devotee
คอ primarily refers to the neck or throat. It also extends to narrow or neck-shaped parts of objects and, in compounds such as คอหนัง, to someone who is especially fond of a particular activity or subject.
neck、throat
The part connecting the head to the body, including either the outer neck or the throat depending on context.
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เจ็บคอ cèp khɔɔ have a sore throat เจ็บคอ details
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ยีราฟคอยาว yiiráap khɔɔ yaaw A giraffe has a long neck. ยีราฟคอยาว details
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อาหารติดคอ aahǎan tìt khɔɔ Food is stuck in the throat. อาหารติดคอ details
neck-shaped part、collar; neckline
A narrow, neck-shaped part of an object or the part of a garment around the neck.
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คอขวด khɔɔ khùat bottle neck; bottleneck คอขวด details
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เสื้อคอกลม sʉ̂a khɔɔ klom a crew-neck shirt เสื้อคอกลม details
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เสื้อคอวี sʉ̂a khɔɔ wii a V-neck shirt เสื้อคอวี details
enthusiast、fan; devotee
Used before another noun to describe a keen fan or regular enthusiast of that subject or activity.
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เขาเป็นคอหนัง khǎw pen khɔɔ nǎŋ He is a movie buff. เขาเป็นคอหนัง details
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พ่อเป็นคอบอล phɔ̂ɔ pen khɔɔ bɔɔn My father is a soccer fan. พ่อเป็นคอบอล details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core meaning of คอ is the neck connecting the head and body. Thai also uses the same word for the throat. For example, คอยาว means “to have a long neck,” while เจ็บคอ means “to have a sore throat”; the surrounding words make the intended meaning clear. The neck shape is extended to narrow parts of objects and to the neck area of clothing. คอขวด literally means “bottle neck” and can also refer figuratively to a bottleneck that restricts a flow or process. In established คอ + noun combinations, คอ can describe a person who is especially interested in something. Common examples include คอหนัง “movie buff,” คอเพลง “music lover,” and คอบอล “soccer fan.” In expressions related to drinking, คอแข็ง can mean “able to hold one's liquor,” while คออ่อน can mean “unable to hold one's liquor.”
Usage
คอ is common in everyday conversations about health, such as เจ็บคอ “have a sore throat,” and when describing the neck of a person or animal. It also appears in descriptions of clothing necklines and narrow parts of objects. When discussing hobbies, it occurs in familiar expressions for keen fans of movies, music, soccer, and similar interests.
Caution
คอ can refer to either the outer neck or the throat, which English normally distinguishes. Use ต้นคอ for the nape or back of the neck, while ลำคอ can identify the neck or throat more explicitly. The “enthusiast” use does not combine naturally with every noun. It is safest to learn established forms such as คอหนัง, คอเพลง, and คอบอล. คอเหล้า can suggest a habitual or heavy drinker and may sound judgmental when applied directly to someone.
Differences from similar words
2 neck-shaped part synonyms
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ปกเสื้อ refers specifically to a garment's collar, especially a folded collar. คอเสื้อ refers more broadly to the neck opening or neckline of a garment.