ทอง
thong/tʰɔːŋ˧/
The Thai word for "gold" is ทอง (thong).
ทอง is the most common and general term for gold in Thai. In everyday conversation, it is frequently used as a shorthand for gold in contexts such as jewelry or general descriptions. To specifically describe a golden color, you should add สี (color) before the word to get สีทอง.
Meaning: made of gold, golden (adj)
Which one should you use?
While ทอง is used generally, ทองคำ is the more precise term used when referring specifically to the chemical element or the precious metal itself. Additionally, เหรียญทอง is used specifically to denote a gold medal.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is thong. The IPA is /tʰɔːŋ˧/.
Did you know?
- In Thai culture, gold is often worn as a sign of status and spiritual merit, particularly in the form of gold leaf applied to Buddha statues.
- In Thai markets, gold jewelry is often sold based on its purity percentage, and 'Thai gold' is famously high-karat, typically 96.5% or 99.9%.
- Historically, the word ทอง evolved from a term meaning 'copper' in Old Chinese.
Examples in context
- มีเหรียญทองThere is a gold coin.This sentence shows how to use ทอง to refer to a gold coin.Tatoeba #8728849 by pastelite, translation #18551 by Zifre
- ใครฝังแท่งทองคำที่นี่?Who buried the gold bars here?This sentence uses ทอง in the context of gold bars.Tatoeba #8671224 by pastelite, translation #276188 by CK
- อะไรหนักกว่ากัน ตะกั่วหรือทองคำ?Which is heavier, lead or gold?This sentence uses ทอง to compare the weight of lead and gold.Tatoeba #8850980 by pastelite, translation #25779 by CK
- เครื่องประดับที่แสดงความงดงามของ ทอง มีหลายแบบThere are various types of jewelry that showcase the beauty of gold.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a jewelry store, a man is looking at a ring.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritแหวนวงนี้ทำจากทองหรือเปล่าครับ?waen wong ni tham chak thong rue plao khrap?Is this ring made of gold?
- พิมล Pimonใช่ค่ะ เป็นทองแท้แน่นอนค่ะchai kha, pen thong thae nae non khaYes, it is definitely real gold.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritสวยมากครับ ผมชอบสีทองของมันsuai mak khrap, phom chop si thong khong manIt's very beautiful, I like its golden color.
- พิมล Pimonขอบคุณค่ะ ลองสวมดูได้นะคะkhop khun kha, long suam du dai na khaThank you, you can try it on.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gold” translations and entries ทอง, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ทอง, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
