ขอ
ask for
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 ask for、request、beg for、would like
- 2 ask permission、may I、let me、allow me to
- 3 wish、pray、hope that、may
- 4 hook、gaff、fastener
ขอ is a core verb used when asking for something, requesting permission, or wishing for a good outcome. It can point to things, information, help, time, permission, or blessings.
ask for、request、beg for、would like
This sense means to ask someone for something, such as an item, information, help, or a favor. It is the everyday ‘ask for’ use of ขอ.
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ขอน้ำหน่อย khɔ̌ɔ náam nɔ̀ɔy Can I have some water? ขอน้ำหน่อย details
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ขอเบอร์โทรได้ไหม khɔ̌ɔ bəə thoo dâay mǎy Can I have your phone number? ขอเบอร์โทรได้ไหม details
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ขอความช่วยเหลือ khɔ̌ɔ khwaam chûay lʉ̌a ask for help ขอความช่วยเหลือ details
ask permission、may I、let me、allow me to
This sense is used to ask permission before doing something yourself. It often means ‘may I,’ ‘can I,’ or ‘let me.’
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ขอถามหน่อย khɔ̌ɔ thǎam nɔ̀ɔy Let me ask something. ขอถามหน่อย details
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ขอเข้าไปได้ไหม khɔ̌ɔ khâw pay dâay mǎy May I go in? ขอเข้าไปได้ไหม details
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ขอดูเมนูหน่อย khɔ̌ɔ duu meenuu nɔ̀ɔy Can I see the menu? ขอดูเมนูหน่อย details
wish、pray、hope that、may
In the pattern ขอให้..., it expresses a wish or blessing for something to happen. It is common in encouragement, greetings, and well-wishing.
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ขอให้โชคดี khɔ̌ɔ hây chôok dii Good luck. ขอให้โชคดี details
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ขอให้หายเร็ว ๆ khɔ̌ɔ hây hǎay rew rew I hope you get well soon. ขอให้หายเร็ว ๆ details
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ขอพร khɔ̌ɔ phɔɔn make a wish; ask for a blessing ขอพร details
hook、gaff、fastener
As a noun, ขอ means a hook: a curved tool or part used for catching, pulling, hanging, or fastening something.
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ขอเกี่ยว khɔ̌ɔ kìaw a hook for catching or fastening something ขอเกี่ยว details
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ตะขอ tàkhɔ̌ɔ a hook or clasp ตะขอ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of ขอ is trying to obtain something that depends on someone else or on circumstances. With a noun, as in ขอน้ำ or ขอเวลา, it means asking for a thing, information, time, or help. With a verb phrase, as in ขอถามหน่อย, it asks permission for the speaker to do something. ขอให้... expresses a wish or blessing, as in ขอให้โชคดี. It also appears in fixed polite expressions such as ขอบคุณ, ขอโทษ, and ขอแสดงความยินดี, where it functions like a polite lead-in to the act being expressed.
Usage
It is used constantly in everyday situations: ordering at a shop, asking for an item or information, asking to speak to someone on the phone, or getting permission from a teacher, staff member, or another person. In work and written contexts, it also appears in more formal phrases such as ขอข้อมูล, ขออนุญาต, and ขอความร่วมมือ.
Caution
A bare ขอ + noun can sound direct depending on the situation, so casual speech often softens it with หน่อย, ด้วย, นะ, or ได้ไหม. Also keep ขอ separate from ให้: ให้ means to give, while ขอ means to ask for or request.
Differences from similar words
1 ask for synonyms
2 ask permission synonyms
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ช่วย is commonly used when asking someone else to do something for you. ขอ + verb phrase usually asks permission for the speaker to do the action.
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อนุญาต means to allow or grant permission. ขอ is what the speaker does when asking for that permission.