โกหก
goo-hòk/koː˧.hok̚˨˩/
To lie in Thai is โกหก (goo-hòk).
The primary way to express the act of telling an intentional untruth is through the verb โกหก. You can use it to describe the action of lying or to refer to the falsehood itself.
Meaning: tell an intentional untruth (verb)
Which one should you use?
While โกหก is the standard verb, you can use คำโกหก to specifically mean 'a lie' (the noun). Additionally, กุ can be used to refer to an intentionally false statement. For the act of lying in a more formal context, you may use the phrase การพูดเท็จ.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb โกหก is versatile. It can be used both transitively, such as lying to someone and intransitively, such as simply stating that one is lying. To transform the verb into the noun 'a lie', you can add the noun marker คำ to the front, creating คำโกหก.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced goo-hòk.
Did you know?
- In Thai culture, the concept of a 'white lie' is often associated with การรักษาน้ำใจ, which means 'preserving the heart' or feelings of others.
- The word โกหก traces its roots back to ancient Pali and Sanskrit terms like kuhaka, which originally described a 'deceiver' or 'fraud' rather than just the act of lying.
- Certain Thai idioms for lying use metaphors involving 'tongues' and 'splitting', reflecting a physical visualization of deceit.
Examples in context
- ฉันจะไม่โกหกI won't lie.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal commitment to truthfulness using โกหก.Tatoeba #8720194 by pastelite, translation #2247631 by CK
- เขาไม่ได้โกหกHe doesn't lie.This sentence is useful for stating that someone else is not lying using โกหก.Tatoeba #8695415 by pastelite, translation #1173825 by CK
- ฉันไม่ได้โกหกI don't lie.This sentence is useful for defending oneself by stating you do not lie using โกหก.Tatoeba #8720220 by pastelite, translation #2245722 by CK
- ไปหลอกสาวมาก่อนเลยนะGo and trick the girl first, okay?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a secret.
- พิมล Pimonทำไมคุณถึงโกหกฉันtham-mai khun thueng ko-hok chanWhy did you lie to me?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritฉันไม่อยากให้คุณกังวลchan mai yak hai khun kang-wonI didn't want you to worry.
- พิมล Pimonการโกหกไม่ใช่เรื่องดีนะkan ko-hok mai chai rueang di naLying is not a good thing.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritฉันขอโทษจริงๆchan kho-thot jing-jingI am really sorry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lie” translations and entries โกหก, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries โกหก, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
