Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| เข้าใจ | kâo-jai | /kʰaw˥˩.t͡ɕaj˧/ |
| รู้เรื่อง | rúu-rʉ̂ʉang | /ruː˦˥.rɯa̯ŋ˥˩/ |
| ทราบ | sâap | /saːp̚˥˩/ |
The primary way to express the cognitive act of grasping a meaning or a concept is using เข้าใจ. To say you do not understand, use the phrase ไม่เข้าใจ. If you want to indicate that you have already understood something or have 'gotten it', you can add the word for 'already' to the end of the phrase to say เข้าใจแล้ว. Additionally, the phrase มีความเข้าใจ can be used to mean 'have understanding'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word เข้าใจ is a compound of two parts: เข้า, which means 'to enter' and ใจ, which means 'heart' or 'mind'.
Which one should you use?
While เข้าใจ is used for the cognitive act of comprehending a concept or meaning, รู้เรื่อง focuses more on following the specific details or the 'story' of what is being said.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
เข้าใจ is the informal way to say understand. In contrast, ทราบ is a formal version used to mean 'to know' or 'to be informed'. It is appropriate in professional or polite contexts to indicate that you have understood or received information.
How does it change in a sentence?
To negate the verb, place the word ไม่, meaning 'not', directly before เข้าใจ.
How do you pronounce it?
kâo-jai (two syllables: /kʰaw˥˩.tɕaj˧/)
Did you know?
- The formal term ทราบ is borrowed from Old Khmer, showing the deep historical influence of Cambodian language on Thai royal and official speech.
- Because the word ใจ is so central to 'understanding', Thai has dozens of other compound words using ใจ to describe specific emotional states that English requires entire sentences to explain.
- Thai uses ใจ for the 'mind' in เข้าใจ, but it uses a completely different word, สมอง, when referring to the physical biological brain.
Examples in context
- ฉันเข้าใจI understand.This sentence is useful for saying 'I understand' using เข้าใจ.Tatoeba #7878424 by pastelite, translation #433468 by CK
- ฉันไม่เข้าใจคุณI don't understand you.Tatoeba #8703163 by pastelite, translation #436555 by lukaszpp
- เขาไม่เข้าใจคุณHe doesn't understand you.This sentence is useful for saying 'He doesn't understand you' using เข้าใจ.Tatoeba #8720333 by pastelite, translation #288747 by CK
- คุณเข้าใจภาษาไทยได้ไหม?Do you understand Thai?
- ฉันเข้าใจที่คุณพูดI understand what you say.
- เธอเข้าใจหรือเปล่า?Do you understand or not?
- ผมดีใจที่คุณเข้าใจI'm glad you understand.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A teacher is explaining a difficult task to a student in a classroom.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatณิชาเข้าใจวิธีทำไหมnicha khaochai wi-thi tham maiNicha, do you understand how to do it?
- ณิชา Nichaเข้าใจค่ะ แต่ขอทวนอีกรอบนะคะkhaochai kha, tae kho thuan ik rop na khaI understand, but can I review it one more time?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatได้ครับ มีตรงไหนไม่เข้าใจไหมdai khrap, mi trong nai mai khaochai maiYes, is there any part you don't understand?
- ณิชา Nichaตอนนี้เข้าใจทุกอย่างแล้วค่ะton ni khaochai thuk yang laeo khaI understand everything now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “understand” translations and entries เข้าใจ, รู้เรื่อง, ทราบ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ทราบ, รู้เรื่อง, เข้าใจ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
