ความสนใจ
kwaam-sǒn-jai/kʰwaːm˧.son˩˩˦.t͡ɕaj˧/
The Thai word for attention is ความสนใจ (kwaam-sǒn-jai).
ความสนใจ refers to mental focus, interest or the level of attention a subject receives. You can use the phrase ดึงดูดความสนใจ to mean 'to attract attention' or 'to draw interest'.
Meaning: mental focus (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix ความ (kwaam), which turns verbs or adjectives into abstract nouns and สนใจ (sǒn-jai), meaning 'to be interested' or 'to pay attention'.
Which one should you use?
While ความสนใจ refers to the cognitive state of paying attention or having an interest, แถวตรง is the specific command used to tell soldiers to stand at attention.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is kwaam-sǒn-jai. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- If you are 'distracted', Thai uses the phrase เสียสมาธิ (sǐa-sa-maa-tí), where the root word สมาธิ (sa-maa-tí) is the same word used for 'meditation'.
- Because สนใจ contains the word for 'heart' (jai), many Thai expressions of interest involve the heart, whereas English often uses the 'eyes' or 'mind'.
- To 'pay attention' in a classroom setting, Thai speakers often use the verb ตั้งใจ (dtâng-jai), which means to 'set one's heart' on a task.
Examples in context
- เราต้องดึงความสนใจของลูกค้ามาให้ได้.rao tong dueng khwam son jai khong luk-kha ma hai dai.We must capture the customers' attention.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a project at the office.
- ณิชา Nichaธนกฤต ลองดูรายงานฉบับนี้หน่อยค่ะThanakrit long du rai-ngan chabab ni noi khaThanakrit, please take a look at this report.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritขอโทษครับ ผมเสียความสนใจไปชั่วขณะkho-thot krap phom sia khwam-son-chai pai chua-khanaSorry, I lost my attention for a moment.
- ณิชา Nichaไม่เป็นไรค่ะ ลองตั้งใจดูอีกรอบนะคะmai pen rai kha long tang-chai du ik rop na khaThat's okay, please try to focus and look again.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritได้ครับ ผมจะให้ความสนใจเต็มที่เลยdai krap phom cha hai khwam-son-chai tem-thi loeiWill do, I will give it my full attention.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “attention” translations and entries ความสนใจ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
