กุญแจ
gun-jɛɛ/kun˧.t͡ɕɛː˧/
The English word 'key' is translated into Thai as กุญแจ (gun-jɛɛ) or ลูกกุญแจ.
Meaning: device designed to open and close a lock (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| กุญแจ | gun-jɛɛ | /kun˧.t͡ɕɛː˧/ |
| ลูกกุญแจ | lûuk-gun-jɛɛ | /luːk̚˥˩.kun˧.t͡ɕɛː˧/ |
Both forms refer to a key, but they are used in different contexts to ensure clarity regarding whether you are discussing the metal object or the locking mechanism.
What does it mean word for word?
The term ลูกกุญแจ literally means 'child of the key' or 'fruit of the key', where ลูก (lûuk) acts as a classifier for small objects or offspring.
Which one should you use?
กุญแจ (gun-jɛɛ) is a general term that can refer to the physical key or the lock mechanism itself. In contrast, ลูกกุญแจ (lûuk-gun-jɛɛ) is a more precise term used specifically to refer to the removable metal object used to operate the lock, which helps avoid confusion with the mechanism.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is gun-jɛɛ.
Did you know?
- While กุญแจ refers to the metal object, if you are looking for a 'key' to a map or a 'key' to a solution, Thai speakers would not use this word, but rather คำสำคัญ (kam-sam-kan) which means 'important word'.
- The Thai word กุญแจ is actually a linguistic traveler that entered the language via Malay. It traces its roots all the way back to Sanskrit and Prakrit, making it a distant cousin to many words used in India.
- If you were to describe a 'keypad' for a digital lock, you would not use the word กุญแจ, but would instead use the loanword คีย์บอร์ด (khī-bòot) or descriptive terms for 'buttons'.
Examples in context
- ผมต้องหากุญแจI have to find the key.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of กุญแจ to express the need to find a key.Tatoeba #10277454 by Somsak, translation #2360466 by CK
- กุญแจอยู่บนโต๊ะThe key is on the desk.This sentence shows how to use กุญแจ to describe the location of a key.Tatoeba #8675780 by pastelite, translation #48195 by CK
- ผมไม่มีกุญแจห้องนี้I don't have a key to this room.This sentence demonstrates using กุญแจ to express possession of a key for a specific room.Tatoeba #10531684 by Somsak, translation #6664026 by CK
- คุณเห็นกุญแจของฉันไหม?Have you seen my keys?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sirin and Teerapat are standing in front of their apartment door.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinธีรภัทร มีกุญแจไหมคะTeeraphat mi kun-jae mai kaTeerapat, do you have the key?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatผมมีกุญแจครับ แต่เข้าไม่ได้Phom mi kun-jae krap, tae khao mai daiI have the key, but it won't open.
- สิรินทร์ SirinกุญแจอาจจะเสียนะคะKun-jae at-ja sia na kaThe key might be broken.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatเดี๋ยวผมลองใช้กุญแจสำรองดูครับDiao phom long chai kun-jae sam-rong doo krapI will try using the spare key.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “key” translations and entries กุญแจ, ลูกกุญแจ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries กุญแจ, ลูกกุญแจ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
