เกาะ
gɔ̀/kɔʔ˨˩/
The Thai word for island is เกาะ (gɔ̀).
เกาะ is a noun used to describe an area of land that is completely surrounded by water. You can also use it to refer to a group of islands by using the phrase หมู่เกาะ.
Meaning: area of land completely surrounded by water (noun)
Which one should you use?
While เกาะ refers to a single island, หมู่เกาะ is used when referring to an archipelago or a group of islands.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify a particular island, you can use the phrase เกาะนี้ to mean 'this island'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is gɔ̀.
Did you know?
- Thai speakers often use เกาะ in the slang phrase เกาะกระแส, which means 'to jump on the bandwagon' or follow a trend.
- While เกาะ means 'island' as a noun, it also functions as a verb meaning 'to cling to' or 'to hold onto' something, such as a person or an object.
- In Thai, เกาะ is used to describe a 'traffic island' or a pedestrian refuge in the middle of a road.
Examples in context
- สุมาตราเป็นเกาะSumatra is an island.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific location as an island using เกาะ.Tatoeba #8703185 by pastelite, translation #477051 by CK
- คุณวางแผนที่จะอยู่บนเกาะนี้นานแค่ไหนHow long do you plan to stay on this island?This sentence is useful for asking about a duration of stay on a specific island using เกาะ.Tatoeba #11070125 by Somsak, translation #8599776 by CK
- มีเกาะสวยๆ อยู่ที่ประเทศไทยThere are beautiful islands in Thailand
- เกาะนั้นเดินทางไปได้ยังไงHow can I travel to that island?
- เราจะไปเที่ยวที่เกาะนั้นกันไหมrao cha pai thiao thi ko nan kan maiShall we go visit that island?
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a travel brochure.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinธนกฤต ดูเกาะนี้สิ สวยมากเลยthanakrit du kao ni si suai mak loeiThanakrit, look at this island, it is very beautiful.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritใช่ครับ เรานั่งเรือไปได้ไหมchai khrap rao nang ruea pai dai maiYes, can we go there by boat?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinไปได้ค่ะ ต้องนั่งเรือจากท่าเรือpai dai kha tong nang ruea chak tha rueaWe can, we have to take a boat from the pier.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritงั้นเราจองตั๋วไปเกาะนี้กันเถอะngan rao chong tua pai kao ni kan thoeThen let's book tickets to this island.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “island” translations and entries เกาะ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
