อ่าน
àan/ʔaːn˨˩/
To read in Thai is อ่าน (àan).
The verb อ่าน means to look at and interpret letters or other information. If you want to specify that you can actually decode and recognize written characters, you should use the phrase อ่านออก. If you want to say that you understand the meaning of what you are reading, use อ่านเข้าใจ.
Meaning: to look at and interpret letters or other information (verb)
Which one should you use?
While อ่านได้ expresses having the ability or permission to read, อ่านออก specifically refers to the literacy skill of being able to decode the letters themselves.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the reading has already been completed, you can add the particle แล้ว after the verb. To indicate that someone is currently in the process of reading, add กำลัง before the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is àan and the IPA is /ʔaːn˨˩/.
Did you know?
- In Thai culture, reading is often linked to the concept of 'recitation', as the root of อ่าน originally meant to recite text aloud.
- The word อ่าน is used not just for books, but for interpreting signs, symbols, and even reading a person's facial expressions or intentions.
- The word อ่าน shares a common ancestor with many other languages in the Tai-Kadai family, including Lao and Shan, making it a linguistic bridge across Southeast Asia.
Examples in context
- ผมจะอ่านให้คุณฟังI'll read it to you.This sentence shows how to use อ่าน to express reading something aloud to someone else.Tatoeba #10130487 by Somsak, translation #2548299 by CK
- คุณอ่านนี่หรือยังHave you read this yet?This sentence uses อ่าน to ask if someone has performed the action of reading yet.Tatoeba #10252993 by Somsak, translation #4192645 by User66640
- ฉันอ่านภาษาฝรั่งเศสได้I can read French.This sentence uses อ่าน to express the ability to read a specific language.Tatoeba #8669101 by pastelite, translation #4667220 by CK
- อ่านหนังสือRead a book
- อ่านโค้ดRead code
- อ่านบทความRead an article
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nicha and Thanakrit are at a bookstore.
- ณิชา Nichaคุณช่วยอ่านตรงนี้ให้หน่อยได้ไหมคะkhun chuay aan trong nee hai noi dai mai khaCould you please read this part for me?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritได้ครับ ให้ผมอ่านอะไรครับdai krap hai phom aan arai krapYes, what do you want me to read?
- ณิชา Nichaช่วยอ่านคำบรรยายใต้รูปภาพนี้หน่อยค่ะchuay aan kham ban-ya-rai tai rup phap nee noi khaPlease read the caption under this picture.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritอ๋อ เขียนว่าหนังสือเล่มนี้ราคาถูกมากครับaw khian wa nang-sue lem nee ra-kha thuk mak krapOh, it says this book is very cheap.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “read” translations and entries อ่าน, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries อ่าน, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
