ผ้าขนหนู
pâa-kǒn-nǔu/pʰaː˥˩.kʰon˩˩˦.nuː˩˩˦/
The English word 'towel' is ผ้าขนหนู (pâa-kǒn-nǔu) in Thai. Wiktionary also lists ผ้าเช็ดตัว (pâa-chét-dtuua).
Meaning: cloth used for wiping (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ผ้าขนหนู | pâa-kǒn-nǔu | /pʰaː˥˩.kʰon˩˩˦.nuː˩˩˦/ |
| ผ้าเช็ดตัว | pâa-chét-dtuua | /pʰaː˥˩.t͡ɕʰet̚˦˥.tua̯˧/ |
Both provided forms refer to a cloth used for wiping, but they are used in different contexts depending on what you are emphasizing.
What does it mean word for word?
ผ้าขนหนู literally means 'cloth with hair/fur'. ผ้าเช็ดตัว literally means 'cloth for wiping the body'.
Which one should you use?
ผ้าขนหนู is the general noun for a towel, often emphasizing the texture of the fabric. In contrast, ผ้าเช็ดตัว specifically refers to a bath towel used for drying the body.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting towels, use the classifier ผืน (phuen).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced pâa-kǒn-nǔu in three syllables.
Did you know?
- If you say ผ้าขนหนู to a Thai speaker, you are literally describing a 'cloth with mouse hair'.
- In Thailand, it is common to see small, rolled-up towels provided with a bowl of water for washing hands at the dinner table.
- In some rural contexts, the term ผ้าเช็ดตัว might be used interchangeably with a ผ้าขาวม้า, a traditional multi-purpose checkered cloth.
Examples in context
- ในห้องน้ำมีผ้าเช็ดตัวผืนเดียวThere's only one towel in the bathroom.This sentence shows how to express the presence of a single ผ้าเช็ดตัว in a bathroom.Tatoeba #10597731 by Somsak, translation #9207489 by CK
- ฉันต้องการผ้าขนหนูผืนใหม่chan tong kan pha khon nu phuen maiI want a new towel.
- เขาลืมผ้าขนหนูไว้ในรถkhao luem pha khon nu wai nai rotHe left the towel in the car.
Example conversation
At a hotel reception desk.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinขอผ้าขนหนูเพิ่มได้ไหมคะkho pha khon nu phoem dai mai khaCan I have more towels, please?
- วิทวัส Witthawatได้ครับ เดี๋ยวผมรีบเอาไปให้ครับdai krap diao phom rip ao pai hai krapYes, I will bring them to you right away.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinขอบคุณมากค่ะkhop khun mak khaThank you very much.
- วิทวัส Witthawatยินดีครับyin di krapYou're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “towel” translations and entries ผ้าขนหนู, ผ้าเช็ดตัว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ผ้าขนหนู, ผ้าเช็ดตัว, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
