กล่าวคือ
That Is to Say
กล่าวคือ (klào khue) introduces a restatement. Read the words after it to see how they explain the point before it.
How It Works
Read Both Sides
กล่าวคือ introduces a restatement or clarification. In the law-enforcement example, the words after it explain transparency as being open to checks. In the project example, they name the main objective: reducing inequality. These are the explanations offered by the example speaker.
Follow The Complete Construction
The first example continues with ควรจะต้องมีการตรวจสอบได้. The project example continues with เพื่อลดความเหลื่อมล้ำในสังคม. Learn how each restatement relates to its preceding point rather than deriving every possible clause pattern from a short gloss.
Compare Identification And Lists
คือ can identify or define something. ได้แก่ can identify the items meant. A restatement can also contain a list; กล่าวคือ alone does not rule one out. Read the surrounding words to decide what is being identified or explained.
Examples (3)
- การบังคับใช้กฎหมายจะต้องมีความโปร่งใส กล่าวคือ ควรจะต้องมีการตรวจสอบได้
Law enforcement must be transparent; that is, it should be possible to check it.
Word by Word: enforcement of law | must have transparency | that is | should be possible to check
Here, กล่าวคือ introduces a specific definition of what 'transparency' means in this legal context.
- บริษัทมีเป้าหมายสองประการ กล่าวคือ ลดค่าใช้จ่ายและเพิ่มรายได้
The company has two goals: that is, to reduce expenses and increase income.
Word by Word: Company have goal two items; that-is-to-say reduce expense and increase income
The words after กล่าวคือ specify the two goals named before it. This is a complete restatement with a list, offered as a teaching example.
- โครงการนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์หลักเพียงประการเดียว กล่าวคือ เพื่อลดความเหลื่อมล้ำในสังคม
This project has only one main objective; that is to say, to reduce inequality in society.
Word by Word: Project this has objective main only item one, state namely, for reduce inequality in society.
กล่าวคือ is used here to specify the exact nature of the 'single objective' mentioned.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'กล่าวคือ', you first need to know the verb 'คือ' (to be/equals), which forms the basis of the expression. Since this is a formal connective used to restate or clarify a previous point, familiarity with formal written Thai and how clauses are linked is essential.
- คือTo Be — Equals
The word 'คือ' (to be/equals) is the core component of this pattern, providing the 'that is' meaning.
Level 1 - ว่าContent, Naming and Criticism with ว่า
Understanding how 'ว่า' links clauses is helpful as 'กล่าวคือ' functions similarly to introduce a clarifying statement or definition.
Level 3 - Speech And Writing Differ
'กล่าวคือ' is a formal, written-style transition, so understanding the distinction between registers is necessary for its proper use.
Level 5
Related Patterns
- ได้แก่Namely
Compare ได้แก่ introducing named items with กล่าวคือ restating a point. A restatement can also contain a list.
Level 5 - หมายถึงMeans
Means 'to refer to' or 'to mean'; focuses on the definition of a specific term.
Level 3 - ดังนั้นThus
Compare a restatement introduced by กล่าวคือ with a result introduced by ดังนั้น. Restating a point and drawing a consequence are different functions.
Level 2 - ซึ่งRelative Clauses with ซึ่ง
Compare ซึ่ง introducing a relative clause with กล่าวคือ introducing a restatement; inspect each complete construction.
Level 2 - อาจกล่าวได้ว่าIt May Be Said That
อาจกล่าวได้ว่า presents something as sayable or arguable. Compare that framing with กล่าวคือ introducing an explanation of an earlier point.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice กล่าวคือ in Bubblegum
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