Main Translations

Below are the primary and secondary translations of "afraid" from English to Thai, including phonetic guides and detailed explanations. This section helps users searching for "afraid meaning in Thai" or "afraid translation guide."

English: Afraid

Thai: กลัว (Glua)

Phonetic: Glua (pronounced as "gloo-ah" with a rising tone on the first syllable).

Detailed Explanation: "Afraid" is an adjective in English that describes a state of fear, anxiety, or apprehension towards something perceived as threatening or unknown. In Thai, "กลัว" is the most common equivalent, used in everyday scenarios to express emotional fear. For instance, it can denote physical danger (e.g., afraid of heights) or emotional unease (e.g., afraid of failure). Semantic nuances include its versatility in casual and formal contexts, often carrying a connotation of vulnerability or caution. This translation is ideal for SEO queries like "afraid in Thai language."

Thai: เกรงกลัว (Kreng Glua)

Phonetic: Kreng Glua (pronounced as "kreng gloo-ah," with a mid-tone on "kreng" and rising on "glua").

Detailed Explanation: This is a more formal or intensified translation of "afraid," combining "เกรง" (to fear or respect) with "กลัว" (fear). It implies a deeper sense of dread, often mixed with respect or awe, such as fearing authority or consequences. Usage scenarios include formal settings, like business or social hierarchies, where it conveys not just fear but also deference. Emotional connotations might involve cultural elements, such as in Thai society where fear can stem from social norms. This variant is useful for users exploring "afraid synonyms in Thai."

Overview of Usage Scenarios

"Afraid" is primarily an adjective used to express fear or anxiety in various contexts, from everyday conversations to professional settings. It appears in scenarios involving personal emotions, decision-making, or interpersonal interactions. Common usage includes describing reactions to danger, uncertainty, or social pressures. In Thai, equivalents like "กลัว" are equally versatile, often integrated into daily language for emotional expression. This overview aids SEO by covering "afraid usage examples" and "how to use afraid in sentences."

Example Sentences

This section provides example sentences categorized by scenarios, sentence types, and difficulties. Each includes the English sentence, its Thai translation, a grammatical breakdown, and a structural analysis to enhance understanding for learners searching for "afraid sentence examples."

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: I'm afraid I can't meet the deadline due to unforeseen issues.

Thai: ฉันกลัวว่าฉันไม่สามารถพบกำหนดเวลาที่กำหนดได้เนื่องจากปัญหาที่ไม่คาดฝัน (Chan glua wa chan mai samat phop kamnod wela thi kamnod dai neung jac bpanha thi mai khat fan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "I'm afraid" (subject + adjective) expresses hesitation; "I can't meet" (subject + modal verb + infinitive) indicates inability; "due to unforeseen issues" (prepositional phrase) provides reason.

Structural Analysis: This is a declarative sentence with a compound structure, where "afraid" modifies the subject and softens the negative response, common in professional etiquette.

Leisure Scenario

English: I'm afraid of roller coasters, so I prefer walking in the park.

Thai: ฉันกลัวรถไฟเหาะ ดังนั้นฉันจึงชอบเดินเล่นในสวน (Chan glua rot fai hao, dang nan chan jeung chorb dern leun nai suan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "I'm afraid of" (subject + adjective + preposition) states fear; "so I prefer" (conjunction + subject + verb) shows contrast; "walking in the park" (gerund phrase) describes the alternative.

Structural Analysis: A compound sentence linking fear to a preference, using "afraid" to convey personal emotion in a relaxed context.

Formal Occasion

English: The manager is afraid that the project might fail without proper funding.

Thai: ผู้จัดการเกรงกลัวว่าอาจจะล้มเหลวหากไม่มีเงินทุนที่เหมาะสม (Phu jang kreng glua wa aat ja lom leow haak mai mee ngern tun thi hao sam).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The manager is afraid" (subject + linking verb + adjective) sets the state; "that the project might fail" (subordinate clause) expresses concern; "without proper funding" (prepositional phrase) specifies the condition.

Structural Analysis: A complex sentence where "afraid" introduces a hypothetical outcome, suitable for formal discussions to show caution.

Informal Occasion

English: Don't be afraid; it's just a small spider.

Thai: อย่ากลัวเลย มันแค่แมงมุมตัวเล็กๆ (Yak glua loei, man kae maeng mum dtua lek lek).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Don't be afraid" (imperative + adjective) gives advice; "it's just a small spider" (subject + linking verb + predicate) minimizes the threat.

Structural Analysis: An imperative sentence using "afraid" to reassure, typical in casual conversations for emotional support.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: She is afraid of flying on airplanes.

Thai: เธอกลัวการบินบนเครื่องบิน (Ther glua kan bin bon kreung bin).

Grammatical Breakdown: "She is afraid" (subject + linking verb + adjective); "of flying on airplanes" (preposition + gerund phrase).

Structural Analysis: Straightforward declarative structure stating a fact, emphasizing emotional state.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Are you afraid of the dark?

Thai: คุณกลัวความมืดไหม (Khun glua khwam meut mai?).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Are you afraid" (auxiliary verb + subject + adjective); "of the dark" (preposition + noun phrase).

Structural Analysis: A yes/no question using "afraid" to inquire about fears, promoting dialogue.

Imperative Sentence

English: Be afraid of nothing and chase your dreams.

Thai: อย่ากลัวอะไรเลย แล้วไล่ตามความฝันของคุณ (Yak glua arai loei, laew lai tam khwam fan khong khun).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Be afraid" (imperative verb + adjective); "of nothing" (preposition + pronoun).

Structural Analysis: Commands encouragement by negating "afraid," common in motivational contexts.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: I'm so afraid of ghosts!

Thai: ฉันกลัวผีมาก! (Chan glua phee mak!)

Grammatical Breakdown: "I'm so afraid" (subject + intensifier + adjective); "of ghosts" (preposition + noun).

Structural Analysis: Exclamatory form heightens emotion, using "afraid" for dramatic effect.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: He is afraid.

Thai: เขากลัว (Khao glua).

Grammatical Breakdown: "He is afraid" (subject + linking verb + adjective).

Structural Analysis: Basic structure for beginners, directly stating a state.

Intermediate Sentence

English: She feels afraid when walking alone at night.

Thai: เธอรู้สึกกลัวเมื่อเดินคนเดียวตอนกลางคืน (Ther ru seuk glua muea dern kon deow tawn klang kuean).

Grammatical Breakdown: "She feels afraid" (subject + verb + adjective); "when walking alone at night" (subordinate clause).

Structural Analysis: Adds a time clause for context, building complexity.

Complex Sentence

English: Although he is afraid of public speaking, he decided to join the presentation because it could advance his career.

Thai: แม้ว่าเขาจะกลัวการพูดในที่สาธารณะ แต่เขาก็ตัดสินใจเข้าร่วมการนำเสนอเพราะมันอาจช่วยให้อาชีพของเขาเจริญก้าวหน้า (Maew wa khao ja glua kan phut nai thi satharana tae khao ga dtat sin jai hai raw gam na sao phro man aat chuay hai achip khong khao ja rern gao na).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although he is afraid" (conjunction + subordinate clause); "he decided to join" (main clause); "because it could advance" (reason clause).

Structural Analysis: Multi-clause structure showing contrast and purpose, ideal for advanced usage.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Explore synonyms, antonyms, and collocations for "afraid" to enrich vocabulary, optimized for searches like "afraid related words."

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Scared – Often used interchangeably with "afraid" in informal contexts to express sudden fear, e.g., "I'm scared of dogs."
• Fearful – A more formal synonym implying ongoing anxiety, e.g., "She is fearful of the future."

Antonyms:

• Brave – The opposite of "afraid," denoting courage, e.g., "He remained brave despite the danger."
• Fearless – Indicates complete absence of fear, e.g., "The explorer was fearless in the wilderness."

Common Collocations:

• Afraid of – Used to specify the source of fear, e.g., "Afraid of heights" (common in phobias).
• Be afraid to – Indicates hesitation due to fear, e.g., "Be afraid to speak up" (in social situations).

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

This section delves into cultural aspects and habits related to "afraid," enhancing SEO for "afraid cultural meaning."

Cultural Background:

• Cultural Point 1: In Western cultures, expressing "afraid" is often seen as a sign of vulnerability, commonly discussed in therapy or self-help contexts. In Thai culture, fear (e.g., "กลัว") may be linked to superstitions like ghosts or spirits, influencing daily life and festivals like Loy Krathong, where people confront fears symbolically.

Usage Habits:

• Habit 1: "Afraid" and its Thai equivalents are frequently used in casual conversations among younger generations, especially on social media, but less so in formal settings where politeness prevails. It's popular among children and teens for expressing everyday fears, with high frequency in storytelling or media.

Grammar Explanation

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Grammatical Function:

"Afraid" functions as an adjective, typically following linking verbs like "be" (e.g., "I am afraid"). It describes the subject's emotional state and can act as a predicate adjective or part of a phrase (e.g., object of a preposition in "afraid of").

Tense and Voice:

"Afraid" itself doesn't change with tenses; instead, the accompanying verb does (e.g., "I was afraid" in past tense). In passive voice, it's less common but possible, as in "He was made afraid by the story," where the focus shifts to the cause of fear.

References

Explore the origins and literary uses of "afraid" for deeper insight, optimized for "afraid etymology and history."

Etymology and History:

"Afraid" originates from Old English "āfrǣd," meaning "frightened," derived from "ā-" (intensive prefix) and "frǣd" (fright). It evolved through Middle English to its modern form, reflecting historical themes of fear in literature and society.

Literary References:

• From Shakespeare's Macbeth: "I am afraid to think what I have done" (Act 2, Scene 2) – Here, "afraid" conveys guilt and introspection.
• From J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: "He was afraid, but he did it anyway" – Illustrates courage overcoming fear in a modern narrative.