เดา
dao/daw˧/
The English word "guess" is translated into Thai as เดา (dao).
The primary way to express reaching an unconfirmed conclusion is with เดา. You can also use the compound verb เดาใจ specifically when you are trying to figure out what someone else is thinking or feeling.
Meaning: to reach an unconfirmed conclusion (verb)
Which one should you use?
While เดา is the standard verb for guessing, other phrases are used depending on the level of certainty and tone. คาดว่า… is used to say "I assume…", while คิดว่า… is used informally to say "I think…". For a more tentative suggestion, น่าจะ… can mean "It could be…" or "I suppose…".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to introduce the content of your guess (to say "guess that…"), you often follow the verb เดา with the particle ว่า. To say "try to guess" or "take a guess", it is common to use the construction ลองเดาดู, which places ลอง (try) and ดู (to see/look) around the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
dao is pronounced /daw˧/.
Did you know?
- The word เดา originated as a shortening of กำเดา, which refers to a nosebleed.
- In Thai culture, 'guessing' someone's heart เดาใจ is often viewed as a necessary social skill for maintaining harmony and avoiding direct confrontation.
- Using เดา can sometimes carry a slightly blunt or childish tone depending on the context, whereas คาดว่า is the preferred way to express a formal hypothesis.
Examples in context
- ฉันเดาว่าฝนจะตกMy guess is that it'll rain.This sentence uses เดา to express a guess about the weather.Tatoeba #7789826 by pastelite, translation #7785902 by CK
- ลองเดาดูสิTake a guessThis sentence uses เดา to encourage someone to take a guess.
- คิดว่าเขากำลังมาI guess he/she is coming.
- น่าจะถูกต้องI guess it's correct.
- คุณคิดว่าเขาจะไปเที่ยวที่ไหนในวันหยุดWhere do you think he/she will go on the weekend?
- พี่คิดว่าเขาจะทำอะไรในงานนี้What do you think he/she will do at this event?
- เขาเดาคำตอบผิดkhao dao kham torp phidHe guessed the answer wrong.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a mysterious gift box.
- ณิชา Nichaลองเดาดูว่าข้างในคืออะไรlong dao doo wa khang nai khue araiTry to guess what is inside.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatฉันเดาว่าต้องเป็นหนังสือแน่ๆchan dao wa tong pen nang sue nae naeI guess it must be a book.
- ณิชา Nichaไม่ใช่หรอก ของชิ้นนี้ราคาแพงมากmai chai rok khong chin nee ra-kha phaeng makNo, this item is very expensive.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatงั้นฉันเดาไม่ถูกแน่เลยngan chan dao mai thook nae loeyThen I definitely won't be able to guess it right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “guess” translations and entries เดา, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries เดา, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
