ดาว
daao/daːw˧/
The Thai word for star is ดาว (daao).
In an astronomical context, ดาว refers to a luminous celestial body made of plasma.
Meaning: (astronomy) a luminous celestial body made of plasma (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word ดาว is used universally regardless of regions or dialects.
How do you pronounce it?
daao (/daːw˧/)
Did you know?
- The word shares an ancient ancestral root with the Māori word 'ao', which refers to 'daytime' or the 'world'.
- In Thai culture, ดาว is frequently used as a slang term to describe the most beautiful or popular student in a school or university, such as a 'campus star'.
- While ดาว means 'star', the Thai word for 'sun' is ดวงอาทิตย์, which includes a classifier ดวง that is also used to count stars.
Examples in context
- คุกกี้พวกนี้เป็นรูปดาวThese cookies are star-shaped.This sentence shows how to use ดาว to describe the shape of an object.Tatoeba #8669288 by pastelite, translation #55299 by CK
- ฉันเห็นดาวบนท้องฟ้าคืนนี้chan hen dao bon thong fa khuen niI see a star in the sky tonight.
- ดาวดวงนั้นสว่างมากdao duang nan sawang makThat star is very bright.
Example conversation
A couple is looking at the night sky from their balcony.
- วิทวัส Witthawatณิชา ดูดาวดวงนั้นสิnicha du dao duang nan siNicha, look at that star.
- ณิชา Nichaสวยมากเลยค่ะ วิทวัสsuay mak loei kha witthawatIt is very beautiful, Witthawat.
- วิทวัส Witthawatมันคือดาวอะไรครับman khue dao arai khrapWhat star is it?
- ณิชา Nichaฉันไม่แน่ใจเหมือนกันค่ะchan mai nae chai muean kan khaI am not sure either.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ดาว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ดาว, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
