หอม
hɔ̌ɔm/hɔːm˩˩˦/
The English phrase 'smells good' is expressed in Thai as หอม (hɔ̌ɔm).
The term is used to describe a pleasant or sweet scent. If you wish to emphasize the quality and say something 'smells very good', you can add มาก after หอม to form หอมมาก.
Which one should you use?
While หอม is used for pleasant odors, the word เหม็น is its direct antonym and is used to describe things that smell bad or stink.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the adjective into a noun phrase meaning 'a fragrant scent' or 'a good smell', you can place the noun กลิ่น (meaning 'smell' or 'scent') before the word to form กลิ่นหอม.
How do you pronounce it?
hɔ̌ɔm
Did you know?
- In Thai culture, the word หอม can be used as a verb meaning 'to kiss' or 'to nuzzle' someone's cheek to smell them.
- The word หอม is also the Thai word for 'shallot'.
- Thai speakers often use หอม to describe the scent of a baby's head, which is considered a uniquely comforting and pleasant smell.
Examples in context
- ดอกไม้ชนิดนี้หอมมากdok mai chanit ni hom makThis flower smells very good.
- น้ำหอมกลิ่นนี้หอมดีนะnam hom klin ni hom di naThis perfume smells good.
- ขนมปังอบใหม่หอมฟุ้งเลยkhanom pang op mai hom fung loeiThe freshly baked bread smells wonderful.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are walking through a flower market.
- พิมล Pimonดอกมะลิหอมมากเลยค่ะdok mali hom mak loei khaThe jasmine smells so good.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritใช่ครับ กลิ่นหอมสดชื่นดีchai khrap klin hom sot chuen diYes, the scent is fresh and pleasant.
- พิมล Pimonคุณอยากซื้อไปฝากแม่ไหมคะkhun yak sue pai fak mae mai khaDo you want to buy some for your mother?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritดีครับ ผมจะซื้อครับdi khrap phom cha sue khrapThat's a good idea, I will buy some.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry หอม, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries หอม, CC BY-SA 4.0.
