ช่วย
chûai/t͡ɕʰua̯j˥˩/
The English verb help is expressed in Thai using ช่วย (chûai). Wiktionary also lists ช่วยเหลือ (chûai-lʉ̌ʉa).
Meaning: transitive: provide assistance to (someone or something) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ช่วย | chûai | /t͡ɕʰua̯j˥˩/ |
| ช่วยเหลือ | chûai-lʉ̌ʉa | /t͡ɕʰua̯j˥˩.lɯa̯˩˩˦/ |
The verb ช่วย is used to provide assistance to someone or something. In an emergency, you should not use the verb alone. Instead, shout the phrase ช่วยด้วย to call for help.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun form ความช่วยเหลือ (assistance or help) is created by adding the prefix ความ to the verb ช่วยเหลือ, which is a standard way in Thai to turn verbs or adjectives into abstract nouns.
Which one should you use?
The short form ช่วย is more common in everyday spoken language, whereas the longer form ช่วยเหลือ is more formal or used in written contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ช่วย can function as a causative-like auxiliary meaning 'to help someone do something' by placing the person being helped immediately after it.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is chûai.
Did you know?
- The formal word ช่วยเหลือ is a compound of ช่วย, meaning 'to help', and เหลือ, which means 'to remain' or 'to exceed'.
- In Thai, the word ช่วย can be used as a polite softener when making a request, similar to saying 'please' or 'could you' in English.
Examples in context
- ช่วยฉันHelp me.Tatoeba #7784322 by pastelite, translation #266065 by Zifre
- ช่วยด้วย!Help!Tatoeba #7784241 by pastelite, translation #435084 by lukaszpp
- ช่วยฉันด้วย!Help me!Tatoeba #7878462 by pastelite, translation #1126684 by CK
- ช่วยด้วยCould you help me find the nearest train station?
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man is carrying heavy boxes in an office.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanคุณช่วยฉันยกกล่องพวกนี้หน่อยได้ไหมคะkhun chuai chan yok klong phuak ni noi dai mai khaCan you help me lift these boxes?
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitได้ครับ ผมยินดีช่วยครับdai khrap phom yin di chuai khrapYes, I am happy to help.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanขอบคุณมากค่ะ คุณใจดีจังkhop khun mak kha khun chai di changThank you very much, you are so kind.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitไม่เป็นไรครับ เรื่องเล็กน้อยครับmai pen rai khrap rueang lek noi khrapYou're welcome, it's a small thing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “help” translations and entries ช่วย, ช่วยเหลือ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ช่วย, ช่วยเหลือ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
