แก้ว
gɛ̂ɛo/kɛːw˥˩/
The English word "glass" is translated into Thai as แก้ว (gɛ̂ɛo).
The noun แก้ว is used to refer to both the material glass and a drinking vessel such as a glass or a cup. To be more specific about a drinking vessel, you can use the compound noun แก้วน้ำ.
Meaning: drinking vessel (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The specific term for a drinking glass, แก้วน้ำ, is formed by adding น้ำ (water) to the end of แก้ว.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Thai, แก้ว serves two grammatical functions: it is a noun meaning glass or cup and it also acts as the classifier used when counting drinking glasses.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is gɛ̂ɛo and the IPA is /kɛːw˥˩/.
Did you know?
- Thai parents may refer to their child as ลูกแก้ว, which suggests the child is as precious as a crystal or a jewel.
- The word แก้ว likely originated from the Old Khmer word កេវ, which referred to crystal, glass and jewelry.
- In traditional Thai Buddhism, the concept of spiritual purity is linked to the quality of แก้ว, associating the physical material with the 'Triple Gem'.
Examples in context
- ทอมหยิบแก้วที่แตกTom picked up the broken glass.This sentence shows how to describe a broken piece of glass using แก้ว.Tatoeba #10679594 by Somsak, translation #2642618 by CK
- แก้วของฉันว่างเปล่าMy glass is empty.This sentence illustrates the use of แก้ว to describe an empty vessel.Tatoeba #8719777 by pastelite, translation #2392250 by CK
- ฉันขอนมหนึ่งแก้วได้ไหม?May I have a glass of milk, please?This sentence demonstrates how to use แก้ว when requesting a glass of a liquid.Tatoeba #8669153 by pastelite, translation #880551 by CK
- ฉันอยากสั่งน้ำใส่แก้วครับ/ค่ะI would like to order a drink in a glass, please.
- เอาน้ำใส่แก้วนํ้าเถอะPut the water in a glass.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are in the kitchen during a party.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritณิชา ช่วยหยิบแก้วให้ผมหน่อยครับNicha chuay yip kaew hai phom noi khrapNicha, please grab a glass for me.
- ณิชา Nichaได้ค่ะ จะเอาแก้วใบไหนคะdai kha cha ao kaew bai nai khaSure, which glass do you want?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritเอาแก้วใบใหญ่ที่สุดครับao kaew bai yai thi sut khrapI'll take the biggest glass.
- ณิชา Nichaนี่ค่ะ แก้วของคุณni kha kaew khong khunHere it is, your glass.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “glass” translations and entries แก้ว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries แก้ว, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
