Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| มาก | mâak | /maːk̚˥˩/ |
| ขนัด | kà-nàt | /kʰa˨˩.nat̚˨˩/ |
| เยอะ | yə́ | /jɤʔ˦˥/ |
| รุ่ม | rûm | /rum˥˩/ |
| หลาย | lǎai | /laːj˩˩˦/ |
These words are used to describe an indefinite large number or quantity. While many of these terms translate to 'many', some are specifically used to mean 'very' or 'much' when modifying adjectives or verbs. For emphasis, the reduplicated form มากมาย can be used to express a vast or immense quantity.
Which one should you use?
มาก is the most versatile and standard way to express 'much' or 'many' in most contexts. In contrast, เยอะ is a more colloquial way to say 'a lot' or 'many'. The word หลาย functions specifically as a quantifier that is placed before a noun to mean 'several' or 'many', such as 'many days'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adverb, มาก typically follows an adjective or verb to mean 'very' or 'much', such as in the phrase 'very good'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization for มาก is mâak.
Did you know?
- The word มาก shares an ancient linguistic ancestor with the word for 'wealthy' in the Ahom language. This suggests a deep historical connection between the concept of 'muchness' and the concept of abundance or riches.
- The term ขนัด is specifically used when describing a crowd or a mass of people. It is not a general word for quantity, but rather describes a dense, packed, or crowded situation.
- While มาก and เยอะ both mean 'many', เยอะ is often used in a playful or complaining tone to suggest something is 'too much' or 'over the top'.
Examples in context
- ขอบคุณมากMany thanks.This sentence is useful for expressing thanks.Tatoeba #8675965 by pastelite, translation #322178 by CK
- ผมทำผิดมากเกินไปI make too many mistakes.This sentence shows how to express an excess of something.Tatoeba #10545889 by Somsak, translation #252977 by CK
- ทอมมีเพื่อนมากมายTom had many friends.This sentence shows how to describe having a large number of friends.Tatoeba #8692200 by pastelite, translation #3735754 by CK
- ฉันต้องการหนังสือเยอะมากI need many books.
- ในเมืองมีคนจำนวนมากThere are many people in the city.
- ฉันซื้อผักจำนวนมากI buy a large quantity of vegetables.
- มีคนเยอะThere are many people.
- กำลังมีงานที่ต้องทำเยอะI have many tasks to do.
- ที่นี่มีปริมาณน้ำมากThere is a large amount of water here.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a crowded market.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanคนที่ตลาดมีมากจริงๆ ค่ะkhon thi talat mi mak ching ching khaThere are really many people at the market.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatใช่ครับ ผมไม่ชอบที่คนเยอะchai khrap phom mai chop thi khon yueYes, I don't like it when there are many people.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanแต่วันนี้มีของขายมากเลยนะคะtae wan ni mi khong khai mak loei na khaBut there are many things for sale today.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatถ้าอย่างนั้นเราไปเดินกันเถอะครับtha yang nan rao pai doen kan thoe khrapIn that case, let's go walk around.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “many” translations and entries มาก, ขนัด, เยอะ, รุ่ม, หลาย, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries มาก, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
