แพ้
pɛ́ɛ/pʰɛː˦˥/
The English word 'allergic' is translated into Thai as แพ้ (pɛ́ɛ).
แพ้ is used to express that someone has an allergy. To specify what someone is allergic to, such as a food or an object, place the name of the allergen immediately after the word.
Meaning: having an allergy (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word แพ้ is polysemous, meaning it has multiple meanings. Depending on the context, it can mean 'to be allergic' or it can mean 'to lose' (such as in a game or a competition).
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, แพ้ functions as a verb meaning 'to be allergic to' and is typically followed directly by the allergen, such as a food or a thing.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is pɛ́ɛ.
Did you know?
- In Thai, the word แพ้ can describe not just physical allergies, but also a psychological or emotional sensitivity to someone or something.
- The concept of 'being defeated' is baked into the word for 'allergy', suggesting a metaphorical sense of the body being overcome by a substance.
- Historically, แพ้ shares a root with the Middle Chinese word 敗, which also carries the meaning of being defeated or failing.
Examples in context
- ฉันแพ้แมวI am allergic to cats.
- เขาแพ้ฝุ่นHe/she is allergic to dust.
- ผมแพ้กุ้งครับphom phae kung krapI am allergic to shrimp.
- เธอแพ้ขนแมวไหมthoe phae khon maew maiAre you allergic to cat hair?
- ฉันแพ้ฝุ่นเยอะมากchan phae fun yoe makI am very allergic to dust.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are ordering food at a restaurant.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatกนกวรรณ กินเผ็ดได้ไหมครับKanokwan kin phet dai mai krapKanokwan, can you eat spicy food?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanกินได้ค่ะ แต่ฉันแพ้ถั่วkin dai kha, tae chan phae thuaI can, but I am allergic to peanuts.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatงั้นผมสั่งแบบไม่ใส่ถั่วให้นะครับngan phom sang baep mai sai thua hai na krapThen I will order it without peanuts for you.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanขอบคุณค่ะ ธีรภัทรkhop khun kha, TeeraphatThank you, Teeraphat.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry แพ้, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries แพ้, CC BY-SA 4.0.
