Signification
Cleaning hands with water.
Contexte culturel
In traditional Thai homes, especially when eating 'Khao Niao' (sticky rice), a bowl of water might be provided at the table specifically for 'ล้างมือ' before the meal starts. Water is used in many Thai Buddhist rituals to symbolize the washing away of sins or the transfer of merit. 'ล้างมือ' figuratively aligns with the idea of 'making a clean start' (เริ่มต้นชีวิตใหม่). Since COVID-19, 'ล้างมือ' has become a national mantra. You will see signs everywhere in Thailand with the '7 steps of hand washing.' In Thai 'Gangster' (Nak-leng) movies, the climax often involves a character 'ล้างมือ' by giving their weapon to a monk or a parent, symbolizing their exit from the life of violence.
The 'Lâng' Rule
Remember that 'ล้าง' is for hard surfaces and hands. If it's soft like fabric, use 'ซัก'.
Figurative Sensitivity
Be careful using 'ล้างมือ' with someone's career; it might imply you think their job was shady!
Signification
Cleaning hands with water.
The 'Lâng' Rule
Remember that 'ล้าง' is for hard surfaces and hands. If it's soft like fabric, use 'ซัก'.
Figurative Sensitivity
Be careful using 'ล้างมือ' with someone's career; it might imply you think their job was shady!
Rhythmic Thai
Say 'ล้างไม้ล้างมือ' to sound more like a native speaker when you're casually getting ready to eat.
Sticky Rice Tip
If you eat sticky rice in Thailand, you MUST wash your hands. It's the most important time to use this phrase.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'hands'.
ก่อนกินข้าว เราต้องล้าง____
We wash our 'hands' (มือ) before eating.
Which sentence means 'He quit the gambling world'?
Choose the correct figurative usage:
'ล้างมือจาก...' is the pattern for quitting an industry.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A doctor before surgery.
Doctors must wash their hands (scrub in) before surgery.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ทำไมมือคุณสกปรกจัง? B: อ๋อ ผมไปซ่อมรถมา เดี๋ยวจะไป____ครับ
If hands are dirty from fixing a car, you need to wash them.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
What can you 'ล้าง' (Wash)?
Objects
- • มือ (Hands)
- • จาน (Dishes)
- • รถ (Car)
- • หน้า (Face)
Lâng vs. Wang
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesก่อนกินข้าว เราต้องล้าง____
We wash our 'hands' (มือ) before eating.
Choose the correct figurative usage:
'ล้างมือจาก...' is the pattern for quitting an industry.
Situation: A doctor before surgery.
Doctors must wash their hands (scrub in) before surgery.
A: ทำไมมือคุณสกปรกจัง? B: อ๋อ ผมไปซ่อมรถมา เดี๋ยวจะไป____ครับ
If hands are dirty from fixing a car, you need to wash them.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, for face use 'ล้างหน้า' (lâng-na).
Yes, it is a neutral, polite term used in all social settings.
'ล้างมือ' is for quitting bad things; 'วางมือ' is for retiring from good jobs.
You can say 'เจลล้างมือ' (gel lâng-mue).
Yes, it can mean that in political or formal contexts.
Usually, we say 'ล้างมือล้างเท้า' (wash hands wash feet) as a set phrase.
Not really, but 'ล้างมือ' is used very casually in daily life.
Because traditional Thai food is often eaten with the hands.
No, that is 'ล้างรถ' (lâng-rot).
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'เข้าวงการ' (entering the circle) is the start.
Expressions liées
วางมือ
similarTo retire or step down from a position.
มือสะอาด
builds onHonest; incorruptible.
ล้างบาป
similarTo wash away sins; baptize.
ล้างหน้า
specialized formTo wash one's face.
มือสกปรก
contrastDirty hands; corrupt.
