ข้อศอก
kɔ̂ɔ-sɔ̀ɔk/kʰɔː˥˩.sɔːk̚˨˩/
The English word "elbow" is translated into Thai as ข้อศอก (kɔ̂ɔ-sɔ̀ɔk). Wiktionary also lists ศอก (sɔ̀ɔk).
Meaning: joint between upper arm and forearm (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ข้อศอก | kɔ̂ɔ-sɔ̀ɔk | /kʰɔː˥˩.sɔːk̚˨˩/ |
| ศอก | sɔ̀ɔk | /sɔːk̚˨˩/ |
The noun refers to the anatomical joint between the upper arm and the forearm. Related verbs such as ถอง or ศอก can also be used to mean the action of pushing someone with the elbow.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ข้อศอก is a compound of ข้อ, which means "joint" or "knuckle" and ศอก, which specifically refers to the elbow.
Which one should you use?
ข้อศอก is the standard noun for the anatomical elbow, while ศอก can also be used to refer to the elbow joint itself.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The two-syllable word is romanized as kɔ̂ɔ-sɔ̀ɔk.
Did you know?
- In Thailand, the ศอก is used as a traditional unit of measurement for length, roughly equal to the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.
- In Muay Thai, the 'art of eight limbs', the elbow is considered one of the most lethal weapons, and strikes using the ศอก are a signature of the sport.
- Thai has a specific verb ถอง to describe the act of pushing someone with the elbow, often implying a rude or aggressive gesture.
Examples in context
- ฉันเจ็บข้อศอกมากchan jep kho-sok makMy elbow hurts a lot.
- เขาใช้ข้อศอกยันโต๊ะไว้khao chai kho-sok yan to waiHe used his elbow to lean on the table.
- ระวังอย่าให้ข้อศอกไปกระแทกra-wang ya hai kho-sok pai kra-thaekBe careful not to hit your elbow.
Example conversation
Sirin sees Theeraphat leaning on a table.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinธีรภัทร อย่าเอาข้อศอกวางบนโต๊ะสิTheeraphat ya ao kho sok wang bon to siTheeraphat, don't put your elbow on the table.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatขอโทษครับ ผมลืมตัวkho thot khrap phom luem tuaI'm sorry, I forgot.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinมันดูไม่สุภาพนะman du mai su phap naIt doesn't look polite.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatโอเคครับ ผมจะยกข้อศอกขึ้นok khrap phom cha yok kho sok khuenOkay, I will lift my elbow up.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elbow” translations and entries ข้อศอก, ศอก, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
