หอย
mollusk
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 mollusk、shellfish、snail
- 2 female genitalia [vulgar slang]
This word mainly refers to mollusks, especially shellfish and snails, whose soft bodies are often protected by shells. In some contexts, it is also a crude slang term for female genitalia.
mollusk、shellfish、snail
A general everyday term for mollusks, including shellfish, snails, and similar soft-bodied animals, usually with shells.
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เด็กเก็บเปลือกหอยที่ชายหาด dèk kèp plʉ̀ak hɔ̌ɔy thîi chaay hàat The child collected seashells on the beach. เด็กเก็บเปลือกหอยที่ชายหาด details
female genitalia [vulgar slang]
A crude slang term for female genitalia, used in sexual contexts or vulgar jokes rather than neutral discussion.
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อย่าใส่กางเกงรัดหอย yàa sày kaaŋkeeŋ rát hɔ̌ɔy Don’t wear pants so tight that they dig into your crotch. อย่าใส่กางเกงรัดหอย details
Learning notes
Explanation
The primary meaning is a mollusk, especially shellfish. The word also appears in the names of land mollusks, such as หอยทาก (“snail”), so its range is broader than just edible shellfish. Use เปลือกหอย when referring specifically to the shell rather than the animal. The usual classifier for an individual mollusk is ตัว; for example, หอยสองตัว means “two mollusks.” By itself, หอย normally has its literal animal-related meaning, but in a sexual context it can be a vulgar term for female genitalia.
Usage
It is commonly used when discussing shellfish at markets or restaurants, talking about mollusks and shells at the beach, and naming animals such as snails. The slang sense may appear in sexual conversation or crude jokes.
Caution
When referring to food, หอย generally means shellfish, not merely a shell. Because it can carry a vulgar sexual meaning in certain contexts, avoid using it suggestively or directing it at a person.
Differences from similar words
2 female genitalia [vulgar slang] synonyms
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อวัยวะเพศหญิง is a neutral, descriptive term for female genitalia. In contrast, หอย is crude slang and is inappropriate in formal or medical contexts.