หมายถึง

Means

Level 3

หมายถึง (mǎai-thǔeng) is the standard Thai way to say 'means' or 'refers to'. It is used for definitions, explaining symbols, or clarifying who or what you are talking about.

How It Works

1. Explain A Meaning
หมายถึง means “means” or “refers to.” The volunteer example gives a definition after it. Learn this as the meaning stated by the example, rather than a claim about every possible use of the word volunteer.

2. Explain A Symbol
The flag example says that red represents the nation. This matches the Thai government’s explanation of the national flag. หมายถึง links the color with what it represents.

3. Clarify A Referent
ที่ฉันพูดเมื่อกี้ ฉันไม่ได้หมายถึงคุณนะ says that the previous remark did not refer to the listener. Here หมายถึง identifies who the speaker’s words concern.

4. Read The Clause Example
การพยักหน้าหมายถึงว่าตกลง uses หมายถึงว่า before ตกลง. It illustrates a situation in which nodding signals agreement. The gesture’s interpretation still depends on context; the sentence does not make it universal.

5. Compare Whole Expressions
เรียกว่า supplies a name or label. หมายถึง explains meaning or reference. The English adjective “mean,” as in cruel, has a different sense; the selected card asks for ใจร้าย.

Examples (4)

  1. คำว่า "อาสาสมัคร" หมายถึงคนที่ทำงานโดยไม่หวังผลตอบแทน

    The word 'volunteer' means a person who works without expecting compensation.

    Word by Word: word that "volunteer" means person who work by not hope result return

    หมายถึง introduces the definition of อาสาสมัคร stated in this example.

  2. ที่ฉันพูดเมื่อกี้ ฉันไม่ได้หมายถึงคุณนะ

    What I just said, I didn't mean (refer to) you.

    Word by Word: that I speak just now, I not refer to you [particle]

    Here, หมายถึง clarifies the person being referred to in the previous statement.

  3. สีแดงในธงชาติไทยหมายถึงชาติ

    The red color in the Thai flag stands for the nation.

    Word by Word: color red in flag nation Thai means nation

    This demonstrates using the pattern to explain the symbolism of a color.

  4. การพยักหน้าหมายถึงว่าตกลง

    Nodding means that (you) agree.

    Word by Word: the nodding means that agree

    หมายถึงว่า introduces ตกลง in this example about a nod signaling agreement. Read it as that situation’s interpretation, rather than a universal meaning of every nod.

Common Mistakes

  • Using หมายถึง to mean 'cruel' (English adjective 'mean').

    เขาหมายถึงมาก
    เขาใจร้ายมาก

    หมายถึง means “means” or “refers to,” not “unkind.” To say that someone is mean or cruel, use ใจร้าย.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

หมายถึงLevel 3Means

Learn This First

To understand 'หมายถึง' (to mean), you need to be comfortable with basic Thai sentence structure and how to use identity verbs like 'คือ'. Knowing how to ask 'what' (อะไร) is also essential for using this pattern in its most common context: asking for definitions.

Words in This Pattern

หมายถึง