ให้

So That

Level 3

Use ให้ to connect an action to its intended goal. It marks the transition from what you are doing to the result you want to achieve.

How It Works

The word ให้ is one of the most versatile words in Thai. In this specific context, it functions as a purposive conjunction.

1. Structure:
The pattern typically follows: [Action] + ให้ + [Desired Result].
Example: พูดดัง ๆ ให้เขาได้ยิน (Speak loudly so that he hears).

2. Intention vs. Cause:
Unlike ทำให้ (which presents one thing as causing another), ให้ focuses on the intent. It describes the state you want to bring about through your action.

3. Common Pairings:
An outcome after ให้ may contain the auxiliary ได้ (can/able to). A separate clause with จะได้ can also state the intended benefit; do not treat it as a fixed combination with the purpose marker.

4. The Fuller Form:
The expanded form เพื่อให้ also introduces a desired result or situation. It makes the purpose explicit; choose the form that fits what you want to say.

Examples (5)

  1. พูดดัง ๆ ให้ทุกคนได้ยิน

    Speak up so that everyone can hear.

    Word by Word: speak loud loud so that every person can hear

    Here, 'ให้' connects the action of speaking loudly to the goal of everyone hearing.

  2. ตั้งใจเรียนให้เก่ง ๆ นะ

    Study hard so you become good at it.

    Word by Word: set heart study so that skilled skilled [particle]

    The repetition of 'เก่ง' (skilled/good at something) emphasizes the level of skill the learner is encouraged to reach.

  3. เขาอธิบายให้ฉันเข้าใจ

    He explained it so that I would understand.

    Word by Word: he explain so that I understand

    In this case, 'ให้' introduces a new subject (ฉัน - I) for the purpose clause.

  4. ล้างมือให้สะอาดก่อนกินข้าว

    Wash your hands so they are clean before eating.

    Word by Word: wash hand so that clean before eat rice

    The result 'สะอาด' (clean) describes how the hands should be after the action 'ล้างมือ' (wash hands).

  5. รีบไปให้ทันเวลา

    Hurry so you are on time.

    Word by Word: hurry go so that in time time

    This shows a common use of 'ให้' to express meeting a specific condition or deadline.

Common Mistakes

  • Treating ให้ (purpose) and ทำให้ (cause) as the same meaning.

    พูดดัง ๆ ทำให้เขาได้ยิน
    พูดดัง ๆ ให้เขาได้ยิน

    The first sentence can describe cause and effect rather than the intended goal. 'ทำให้' presents something as a cause of a result, including general or future results. 'ให้' marks the result you are aiming for with the action. Choose the second sentence when you mean 'Speak loudly so he can hear.'

How It Connects

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

ให้Level 3So That

Learn This First

To understand 'ให้' as a marker for purpose (so that), you first need to be familiar with its basic meaning as 'to give'. You should also understand how Thai sentences are structured and how multiple verbs or clauses can be chained together to show the relationship between an action and its intended result.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

ให้