Significado
Trying to do something very difficult.
Contexto cultural
The 'Krok Hin' (stone mortar) is a symbol of durability and hard work in Thai homes. A daughter-in-law's pounding sound was traditionally used to judge her character—loud and steady meant she was diligent. Thailand has many steep mountain ranges, especially in the North. The idea of moving heavy objects up these mountains is a common theme in local folklore and metaphors for life's struggles. The proverb aligns with the Buddhist concept of 'Viriya' (effort/energy). However, it also warns against 'Attakilamathanuyoga' (self-mortification or over-exertion) that leads to no benefit. In modern Thai offices, this phrase is often used to subtly complain to bosses about unrealistic KPIs or workloads without being directly confrontational.
Use with 'Muean'
Always pair it with 'เหมือน' (muean) to make it sound natural as a comparison.
Don't over-use
If you use it for every small task, it loses its impact. Save it for the truly 'heavy' stuff.
Significado
Trying to do something very difficult.
Use with 'Muean'
Always pair it with 'เหมือน' (muean) to make it sound natural as a comparison.
Don't over-use
If you use it for every small task, it loses its impact. Save it for the truly 'heavy' stuff.
Shorten it
In casual chat, just saying 'เข็นครกเลยงานนี้' (Pushing the mortar for this job) makes you sound like a native.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
เข็น___ขึ้นภูเขา
The correct word is 'ครก' (mortar), which is a heavy stone bowl used in Thai kitchens.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'เข็นครกขึ้นภูเขา'?
Which of these is like 'Khen Krok Khuen Phu Khao'?
This is a task that is extremely difficult and requires overwhelming effort, fitting the idiom.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: งานใหม่เป็นยังไงบ้าง? B: ยากมากเลย เหมือน...
Since B says the work is 'ยากมาก' (very difficult), the idiom for a hard task is the correct choice.
Choose the sentence that uses the idiom correctly in a formal context.
Which sentence is correct?
This sentence correctly uses the idiom as a metaphor for a difficult social problem.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosเข็น___ขึ้นภูเขา
The correct word is 'ครก' (mortar), which is a heavy stone bowl used in Thai kitchens.
Which of these is like 'Khen Krok Khuen Phu Khao'?
This is a task that is extremely difficult and requires overwhelming effort, fitting the idiom.
A: งานใหม่เป็นยังไงบ้าง? B: ยากมากเลย เหมือน...
Since B says the work is 'ยากมาก' (very difficult), the idiom for a hard task is the correct choice.
Which sentence is correct?
This sentence correctly uses the idiom as a metaphor for a difficult social problem.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNot necessarily. It describes the difficulty, but it can be used to praise someone's hard work in the face of that difficulty.
Yes, if the exercise is extremely grueling, it's a common humorous exaggeration.
It's a heavy stone mortar used to grind spices. It's a symbol of the Thai kitchen.
Yes, it is a very respected proverb and is frequently used in formal speeches and writing.
Yes! 'Doi' is the Northern Thai word for mountain. It sounds very local and charming.
No, it means it's very hard. If it were impossible, we might use 'งมเข็มในมหาสมุทร' instead.
It's a high tone. Think of a short, sharp sound like a clock ticking but with a 'K' at the end.
Yes, 'งานหิน' (Ngan Hin) is the most common short alternative.
Be careful. Saying a person is like 'เข็นครก' can imply they are stubborn or slow to learn.
'ปอกกล้วยเข้าปาก' (Peeling a banana into the mouth), meaning very easy.
Frases relacionadas
งานหิน
similarStone work / Very hard task
งมเข็มในมหาสมุทร
similarDiving for a needle in the ocean
ปอกกล้วยเข้าปาก
contrastPeeling a banana into one's mouth
ขี่ช้างจับตั๊กแตน
similarRiding an elephant to catch a grasshopper
