ทำงาน
tam-ngaan/tʰam˧.ŋaːn˧/
In Thai, the word for 'work' is ทำงาน (tam-ngaan).
ทำงาน is used to denote labour, employment or an occupation. It is also used intransitively to mean performing or doing a specific task.
Meaning: labour, employment, occupation, job (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ทำงาน is a compound of ทำ (tam), meaning 'to do' and งาน (ngaan), meaning 'work' or 'task'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ทำงาน is intransitive and does not require a direct object to express the general concept of being employed or performing tasks.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is tam-ngaan. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word งาน is used in the phrase งานเข้า to mean 'I'm in trouble' or 'a problem has arrived'.
- If a machine is working well, a Thai speaker might use the word เดิน (dern), which literally means 'to walk', to describe its operation.
- The word งาน (ngaan) can also refer to a 'party' or 'festival', so งานแต่ง (ngaan taeng) actually means a 'wedding ceremony'.
Examples in context
- ฉันทำงานI work.This sentence shows how to use ทำงาน to say 'I work'.Tatoeba #7784296 by pastelite, translation #1581080 by olgalu
- พัดลมไม่ทำงานThe fan doesn't work.This sentence uses ทำงาน to describe a mechanical device, a fan, not functioning.Tatoeba #8720237 by pastelite, translation #3779310 by tanay
- นั่นจะไม่ทำงาน!That won't work!This sentence uses ทำงาน to express that a specific thing or plan will not function or succeed.Tatoeba #8669334 by pastelite, translation #394405 by blay_paul
- ฉันกำลังมองหางานI am looking for a job.
- ฉันมีประสบการณ์ทำงานหลายปีI have many years of work experience.
- งานของฉันเกี่ยวกับเทคโนโลยีMy job is related to technology.
- งานหนักมากเมื่อวานThe workload was very heavy yesterday.
- เธอทำงานที่ไหนWhere do you work?
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their daily schedules.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinวันนี้คุณต้องทำงานไหมwan-ni khun tong tham-ngan maiDo you have to work today?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatใช่ครับ ผมต้องทำงานจนถึงเย็นchai krap phom tong tham-ngan jon thueng yenYes, I have to work until evening.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinงานของคุณหนักมากเลยนะngan khong khun nak mak loei naYour work is very heavy.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatใช่ครับ แต่ผมชอบทำงานนี้chai krap tae phom chop tham-ngan niYes, but I like this work.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ทำงาน, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
