Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| กระเป๋า | grà-bpǎo | /kra˨˩.paw˩˩˦/ |
| ถุง | tǔng | /tʰuŋ˩˩˦/ |
Thai uses different words for bags depending on their structure and material. ถุง is commonly used for soft, flexible containers such as plastic bags, paper bags or sacks. กระเป๋า refers to more structured items like handbags, backpacks or suitcases.
Which one should you use?
Use ถุง (tǔng) for flexible items like plastic or paper bags. Use กระเป๋า (grà-bpǎo) for structured containers such as a backpack or a handbag. For a specific type of bag used for money, the term กระเป๋าสตางค์ is used for a wallet.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While กระเป๋า is primarily a noun for a bag, it can also function as a verb meaning to provide artificial ventilation. Additionally, the term กระเป๋าสตางค์ is a specific compound used to denote a wallet.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of กระเป๋า is grà-bpǎo (/kra˨˩.paw˩˩˦/). It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- While กระเป๋า usually means 'bag', it can also be used as a verb meaning to provide artificial ventilation.
- The prefix กระ in กระเป๋า functions as an augmentative prefix, which can change the scale or nature of the base word.
- In Thai, calling a plastic bag a กระเป๋า would sound strange because the language strictly separates containers by their structure and flexibility.
Examples in context
- กระเป๋านั้นเป็นของฉันThat bag is mine.This sentence uses กระเป๋า to show possession.Tatoeba #8695473 by pastelite, translation #68476 by CK
- กระเป๋าของคุณอยู่ที่ไหนWhere's your bag?This sentence uses กระเป๋า to ask about location.Tatoeba #8669169 by pastelite, translation #1886592 by CK
- เขาลากกระเป๋าของเขาไปบนพื้นโดยไม่ลุกขึ้นWithout getting up, he dragged his bag across the floor.This sentence uses กระเป๋า to describe an action involving a bag.Tatoeba #10777059 by thas, translation #8054570 by AlanF_US
- ฉันต้องการซื้อกระเป๋าใหม่I want to buy a new bag.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are shopping at a boutique.
- พิมล Pimonธนกฤต ดูกระเป๋าใบนี้สิthan-na-krit du kra-pao bai ni siThanakrit, look at this bag.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritมันสวยดีนะ พิมลman suay di na pimonIt is quite beautiful, Pimol.
- พิมล Pimonคุณชอบกระเป๋าสีแดงไหมkhun chop kra-pao si daeng maiDo you like the red bag?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritผมว่าสีดำดูดีกว่าphom wa si dam du di kwaI think the black one looks better.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bag” translations and entries กระเป๋า, ถุง, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries กระเป๋า, ถุง, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
