วาด
wâat/waːt̚˥˩/
The Thai word for 'to draw' is วาด (wâat).
วาด is used when you are producing a picture or an artistic work.
Meaning: to produce a picture (verb)
Which one should you use?
While วาด is used for artistic drawing, the word เขียน is used for writing text or drawing simple lines and shapes, such as circles or squares.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone is currently drawing (the continuous aspect), place the word กำลัง before วาด. To indicate that the action is already completed, place the word แล้ว after วาด.
How do you pronounce it?
wâat
Did you know?
- The word วาด is used in the phrase วาดลวดลาย to describe someone showing off their skills or performing an elaborate dance, literally 'drawing patterns'.
- In Thai, the word วาด is used in the expression วาดฝัน to mean 'dreaming' or 'imagining' a future scenario, literally 'drawing a dream'.
- The Thai word วาด shares its roots with the word for 'to design' or 'to pattern' in several related Tai-Kadai languages, such as Lao and Lü.
Examples in context
- ฉันวาดนกไม่ได้I can't draw a bird.This sentence is useful for practicing the negative form with วาด.Tatoeba #8817765 by pastelite, translation #1887125 by CK
- ทอมวาดรูปนี้ด้วยตัวเองเหรอ?Did Tom draw this picture by himself?This sentence is useful for asking a question regarding the use of วาด.Tatoeba #7784378 by pastelite, translation #7783722 by CK
- ฉันชอบการวาดรูปI like drawing.
- เขาวาดภาพสวยมากHe/She draws beautiful pictures.
- เด็กคนนั้นวาดรูปสวยมากdek khon nan wat rup suay makThat child draws very beautiful pictures.
Example conversation
Teerapat and Sirin are looking at a sketchbook in a cafe.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatสิรินทร์วาดรูปนี้เองเหรอ?Sirin wat rup ni eng ro?Did you draw this yourself, Sirin?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinใช่ค่ะ ฉันวาดเล่นตอนว่างๆchai kha, chan wat len torn wang wangYes, I draw for fun when I'm free.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatฝีมือวาดรูปของคุณเก่งมากเลยfi mue wat rup khong khun keng mak loeiYour drawing skills are very good.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinขอบคุณค่ะ ชมกันเกินไปแล้วkhop khun kha, chom kan koen pai laewThank you, you're overpraising me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “draw” translations and entries วาด, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries วาด, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
