การท่องเที่ยว
gaan-tɔ̂ng-tîao/kaːn˧.tʰɔŋ˥˩.tʰia̯w˥˩/
The English word "traveling" is translated into Thai as การท่องเที่ยว (gaan-tɔ̂ng-tîao).
การท่องเที่ยว refers to the activity of going on a trip or visiting different places for pleasure.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix gaan (the act of) and tɔ̂ng-tîao (to travel).
Which one should you use?
While การท่องเที่ยว refers to the concept of traveling or the tourism industry, using the verb tɔ̂ng-tîao alone is more common when describing the personal action of traveling.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the prefix gaan (การ) to a verb turns it into a noun representing an activity or concept.
How do you pronounce it?
gaan-tɔ̂ng-tîao (/kaːn˧.tʰɔŋ˥˩.tʰia̯w˥˩/)
Did you know?
- The word tîao inside การท่องเที่ยว is also used to describe 'hanging out' with friends. If a Thai person says they are tîao, they might just be going to a mall or a cafe rather than visiting a new city.
- Thai has a specific distinction between tɔ̂ng-tîao (traveling for pleasure) and dēan-tāng (the act of journeying). You use dēen-tāng for the physical movement from point A to B, regardless of the purpose.
- In Thai culture, the act of tîao is often associated with making merit. Many Thais combine 'traveling' with visiting temples to gain spiritual credit, a practice known as tîao wat.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinสิรินทร์ชอบอะไรคะSirin chop arai khaWhat do you like, Sirin?
- วิทวัส Witthawatวิทวัส ฉันชอบการท่องเที่ยวค่ะWitthawat, chan chop kan thong thiao khaWitthawat, I love traveling.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinไปเที่ยวที่ไหนบ่อยที่สุดครับpai thiao thi nai boy thi sut khrapWhere do you go most often?
- วิทวัส Witthawatฉันชอบไปทะเลค่ะchan chop pai tha le khaI like going to the beach.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry การท่องเที่ยว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
