ถ้วย
tûai/tʰua̯j˥˩/
The English word "cup" is translated into Thai as ถ้วย (tûai).
ถ้วย is typically used for vessels that are small and often have a shallow or rounded shape, such as tea cups or small condiment bowls.
Meaning: drinking vessel (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ถ้วย refers to a cup or small bowl, แก้ว is used for drinking glasses.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Thai, ถ้วย acts as a classifier when counting cups, used in the pattern [Noun] + [Number] + [Classifier].
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is tûai and the IPA is /tʰua̯j˥˩/.
Did you know?
- The word ถ้วย traces its origins back to Middle Chinese, specifically to the character 斗, which described a similar cup-like object.
- If you are at a restaurant and want to sound natural, you should use แก้ว for water, as using ถ้วย might make the waiter think you want to drink from a small ceramic saucer.
- The word ถ้วย is used in the Thai term for a 'trophy cup' given at sports competitions, mirroring the English metaphorical use of the word.
Examples in context
- ฉันต้องการชาถ้วยนึงI want a cup of tea.This sentence is useful for practicing how to express wanting a cup of tea using ถ้วย.Tatoeba #8669138 by pastelite, translation #383287 by ver
- กรุณาให้นมฉันหนึ่งถ้วยPlease give me a cup of milk.This sentence is useful for practicing how to request a cup of milk using ถ้วย.Tatoeba #8720110 by pastelite, translation #27372 by Zifre
- วางถ้วยใบนั้นไว้บนโต๊ะwang thuai bai nan wai bon toPut that cup on the table.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chonlasit and Sirin are cleaning up after breakfast.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitสิรินทร์ ช่วยล้างถ้วยใบนี้หน่อยครับSirin chuay lang thuay bai nee noi krapSirin, please wash this cup for me.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinได้ค่ะ วางไว้ตรงนี้เลยนะคะdai ka wang wai trong nee loey na kaSure, just leave it right here.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitขอบคุณมากครับkhob khun mak krapThank you very much.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinไม่เป็นไรค่ะmai pen rai kaYou're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cup” translations and entries ถ้วย, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ถ้วย, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
