คนเดียว
khon diao
The Thai phrase for 'alone' is คนเดียว (khon diao).
คนเดียว is used to describe doing something by oneself or being by oneself.
Meaning: by oneself (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of คน (khon), meaning person and เดียว (diao), meaning single or one.
Which one should you use?
Additionally, โดด can be used to describe being alone or solitary.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Thai, this phrase typically follows the verb to function as an adverb meaning 'alone' or 'by oneself'.
How do you pronounce it?
khon diao
Did you know?
- If you are traveling 'alone' and want to sound like a solo traveler, you might use เที่ยวคนเดียว, but if you use the word โดดเดี่ยว, you sound like a character in a tragic poem.
- While คนเดียว describes physical solitude, using the word ตัวคนเดียว adds a sense of 'being alone in the world' or having no one to rely on. This adds a layer of vulnerability to the phrase.
- While คนเดียว means 'alone', if you want to say you are 'lonely' in a psychological sense, you must use the word เหงา, as คนเดียว only describes the physical state of being by yourself.
Examples in context
- ทอมกินคนเดียวTom ate alone.This sentence shows how to use คนเดียว after a verb to indicate an action performed alone.Tatoeba #8719760 by pastelite, translation #1496798 by Spamster
- เขาอยู่คนเดียวHe is alone.This sentence illustrates how to use คนเดียว to describe a state of being alone.Tatoeba #8675820 by pastelite, translation #293708 by CK
- ผมไม่ได้ไปคนเดียวI didn't go alone.This sentence shows the use of คนเดียว in a negative sentence to mean someone did not go alone.Tatoeba #10130320 by Somsak, translation #5858800 by CK
- ฉันโดดเดี่ยวI am alone
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a coffee shop, Teerapat asks Pimon about her arrival.
- พิมล Pimonธีรภัทรมาคนเดียวหรือเปล่าคะtheeraphat ma khon diao rue plao khaDid you come alone, Teerapat?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatครับ ผมมาคนเดียวครับkhrap phom ma khon diao khrapYes, I came alone.
- พิมล Pimonแล้วเพื่อนของคุณล่ะคะlaeo phuean khong khun la khaAnd what about your friends?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatเพื่อนผมติดงานครับphuean phom tit ngan khrapMy friends are stuck with work.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
