พัง
pang/pʰaŋ˧/
The Thai word for broken is พัง (pang).
พัง is a colloquial term used to describe something that is broken, collapsed or ruined. It can refer to mechanical objects that are damaged as well as physical structures that have fallen apart.
Meaning: not working properly (adj)
Which one should you use?
While พัง implies that something is physically damaged or ruined, the word เสีย is more commonly used to describe electronic or mechanical devices that have simply stopped working or are out of order.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that something has undergone a change in state and has become broken, you can add แล้ว after the word to form พังแล้ว, which means already broken.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pʰaŋ˧/ (pang).
Did you know?
- Thai uses the same word เสีย for something that is 'broken' and for the concept of 'spoiling', such as when food has gone bad.
- While พัง describes something broken or ruined, if you use it to describe a person's appearance, you are implying they look 'ruined' or extremely disheveled.
- In Thai slang, describing a situation or a plan as พัง is a common way to say that something has 'failed miserably' or 'gone totally wrong'.
Examples in context
- พวกมันพังThey're broken.This sentence is useful for saying they are broken using พัง.Tatoeba #8720088 by pastelite, translation #2123540 by CK
- โต๊ะนี้พังThis desk is broken.This sentence is useful for saying this desk is broken using พัง.Tatoeba #8681577 by pastelite, translation #59855 by CK
- ทีวีเครื่องนี้เสียแล้ว (Tiwi khrueang ni sîa lâew)This television is broken.
- โทรศัพท์ของฉันพังแล้วtho-ra-sap khong chan phang laeoMy phone is broken.
Example conversation
At home, Thanakrit is trying to use a broken fan.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritพิมล พัดลมพังหรือเปล่าPhimon, phat-lom phang rue plaoPhimon, is the fan broken?
- พิมล Pimonใช่ค่ะ มันพังมาสักพักแล้วChai kha, man phang ma sak phak laeoYes, it has been broken for a while.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritเดี๋ยวผมซ่อมให้เองDiao phom som hai engI will fix it myself.
- พิมล Pimonขอบคุณมากค่ะKhop khun mak khaThank you very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry พัง, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
