เก่า
gào/kaw˨˩/
The English word "old" can be translated into Thai as เก่า (gào), though the specific word depends on whether you are describing a person or an object.
In Thai, the choice of word for "old" depends entirely on what you are describing. The form เก่า is used specifically for inanimate objects. For living beings such as people or animals, you should use a different term like แก่.
Meaning: of a living being: having lived for relatively many years (adj)
Which one should you use?
There are several forms used to express being old. Use เก่า for inanimate objects. Use แก่ to describe living beings like people or animals. If you are describing something that is not just old but ancient, venerable or has a long history (such as a city or a tradition), use the form เก่าแก่.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective before a noun, เก่า follows the noun it modifies, such as in the phrase หนังสือเก่า (book old).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kaw˨˩/ (gào).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use เก่า to describe an old person. However, this word is reserved for objects. To describe a person, use แก่ or ชรา instead.
Did you know?
- While เก่า describes old objects, the word แก่ can also mean 'ripe' when describing fruit. Using the same word for an elderly person and a ripe mango is a common feature of Thai descriptions.
- In Thai, referring to an 'old friend' uses เก่า, not แก่. Even though a friend is a living person, the word describes the length of the relationship rather than the person's age.
- While เก่า describes an old object, using it to describe a person can sound incredibly rude or as if you are treating them like a piece of trash.
Examples in context
- นี่เป็นหนังสือเก่าThis is an old book.This sentence shows how to use เก่า to describe a book.Tatoeba #8675759 by pastelite, translation #55733 by CK
- ทอมเจอตู้เซฟเก่าในโรงรถTom found an old safe in his garage.This sentence demonstrates using เก่า to describe a safe.Tatoeba #4284541 by Spanger, translation #4278929 by Hybrid
- กรีซเป็นประเทศเก่าแก่Greece is an old country.This sentence uses the form เก่าแก่ to describe a country with a long history.Tatoeba #3935525 by turklehceleri, translation #3935488 by CM
- คุณแม่อายุเกิน 60 ปีแล้วMy mother is over 60 years old.
Example conversation
Two people are talking about their pets.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatหมาของกนกวรรณอายุเท่าไหร่ครับma khong kanokwan ayu thao-rai khrapHow old is your dog, Kanokwan?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanมันเป็นหมาแก่แล้วค่ะman pen ma kae laew khaIt is an old dog now.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatมันดูไม่เก่าเลยนะครับman du mai kao loei na khrapIt doesn't look old at all.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanขอบคุณค่ะ ธีรภัทรkhop khun kha theeraphatThank you, Theeraphat.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry เก่า, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
