Main Translations

The word "alms" refers to money, food, or other goods given to the poor or needy as an act of charity, often with religious or moral connotations. Below are its primary and secondary translations into Thai, along with phonetic guides and detailed explanations.

English: alms

Thai: ทาน (Thaan)

Phonetic: thaan (pronounced with a soft 'th' sound as in "thin," and a rising tone).

Detailed Explanation: In Thai, "ทาน" is deeply rooted in Buddhist culture and refers specifically to alms given to monks or the needy as a form of merit-making (a key practice in Thai Buddhism). It carries positive emotional connotations of generosity, compassion, and spiritual growth. Usage scenarios include daily alms-giving rituals at temples, where laypeople offer food to monks. Semantic nuances highlight its voluntary and selfless nature, distinguishing it from formal donations; it's often used in religious or community contexts to evoke humility and gratitude.

Thai: บริจาค (Bori-chak)

Phonetic: bori-chak (pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable, "bo," and a falling tone on "chak").

Detailed Explanation: This is a secondary translation, more general than "ทาน," referring to any act of donation or charity, such as giving money to organizations or individuals in need. It lacks the strong religious undertones of "ทาน" and is associated with modern, secular contexts like fundraising or philanthropy. Emotionally, it conveys a sense of social responsibility and kindness, but with less emphasis on spiritual merit. Semantic nuances include its versatility in formal settings, such as business or government aid programs, where it might imply structured giving rather than spontaneous acts.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

"Alms" is primarily used in contexts involving charity, religion, and poverty alleviation. It appears in historical, religious, and everyday scenarios, such as Buddhist rituals in Thailand, where it symbolizes compassion and community support. In modern usage, it can extend to formal charitable events or informal acts of kindness, emphasizing its role in promoting empathy and social equity. This word is versatile but most common in cultural or ethical discussions, with nuances varying by context—e.g., spiritual in Thailand versus historical in English-speaking regions.

Example Sentences

Below are example sentences demonstrating the use of "alms" in various scenarios, sentence types, and difficulty levels. Each includes an English sentence, its Thai translation, a grammatical breakdown, and a structural analysis for educational purposes. These examples are optimized for SEO with keywords like "alms sentence examples" and "alms in Thai translation."

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The company decided to distribute alms to local communities as part of their corporate social responsibility program.

Thai: บริษัทตัดสินใจแจกทานให้ชุมชนท้องถิ่นเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของโครงการความรับผิดชอบต่อสังคมของบริษัท (Bori-sut tid-sin-chai jaak thaan hai chum-chon thong-thin pen suan neung khor-jak kaan rap-piang-chop tor sang-khom khor bori-sut).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The company" (subject, noun phrase) + "decided" (verb, past tense) + "to distribute" (infinitive verb phrase) + "alms" (direct object, plural noun) + "to local communities" (prepositional phrase) + "as part of" (subordinating phrase).

Structural Analysis: This is a complex sentence with a main clause ("The company decided...") and a subordinate clause ("as part of their program"). It uses "alms" as a direct object, highlighting its noun function in a formal, professional context, which aligns with SEO-focused content on business ethics.

Leisure Scenario

English: During our vacation in Thailand, we participated in giving alms to monks at the temple for a cultural experience.

Thai: ในระหว่างการพักร้อนของเราในประเทศไทย เราร่วมแจกทานให้พระที่วัดเพื่อประสบการณ์ทางวัฒนธรรม (Nai ban-kan gaan pak-ron khor rao nai prathet thai, rao rum jaak thaan hai phra thi wat pêu prasop-kan thang wat-ta-na-tham).

Grammatical Breakdown: "During our vacation" (prepositional phrase) + "in Thailand" (locative phrase) + "we participated" (subject + verb, past tense) + "in giving" (gerund phrase) + "alms" (direct object) + "to monks" (prepositional phrase) + "at the temple" (locative phrase) + "for a cultural experience" (purpose clause).

Structural Analysis: This sentence employs a compound structure with multiple prepositional phrases, making "alms" the focal noun. It illustrates informal, experiential usage, suitable for travel-related SEO content.

Formal Occasion

English: At the charity gala, the speaker emphasized the importance of giving alms to support the underprivileged.

Thai: ในงานกาล่าการกุศล ผู้พูดเน้นย้ำถึงความสำคัญของการแจกทานเพื่อสนับสนุนผู้ยากไร้ (Nai ngan gala gaan kut-son, puu phut nern yam to khwam sam-kan khor gaan jaak thaan pêu sanub-sun puu yak-rai).

Grammatical Breakdown: "At the charity gala" (prepositional phrase) + "the speaker" (subject) + "emphasized" (verb, past tense) + "the importance" (direct object, noun phrase) + "of giving" (gerund phrase) + "alms" (object of gerund) + "to support" (infinitive phrase) + "the underprivileged" (object).

Structural Analysis: A declarative sentence with embedded clauses, where "alms" functions as part of a gerund phrase, underscoring its role in formal discourse for SEO topics like "charity events."

Informal Occasion

English: My friend and I shared some alms with the street vendor who needed help.

Thai: เพื่อนของฉันและฉันแบ่งทานบางส่วนให้พ่อค้าขายของข้างถนนที่ต้องการความช่วยเหลือ (Pûen khor chan lae chan baeng thaan bang suan hai phor khak khai khor khang thon thi dtong-gan khwam chûp-lêu).

Grammatical Breakdown: "My friend and I" (compound subject) + "shared" (verb, past tense) + "some alms" (direct object, with quantifier) + "with the street vendor" (prepositional phrase) + "who needed help" (relative clause).

Structural Analysis: This simple sentence uses "alms" as a direct object in an everyday context, with a relative clause for added detail, making it relatable for informal SEO content.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: Alms are traditionally given during religious festivals in Thailand.

Thai: ทานมักจะถูกแจกในช่วงเทศกาลทางศาสนาในประเทศไทย (Thaan mak ja thuk jaak nai chud têt-kan thang sas-na nai prathet thai).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Alms" (subject, plural noun) + "are" (verb, present passive) + "traditionally given" (adverb + past participle) + "during" (preposition) + "religious festivals" (object noun phrase) + "in Thailand" (locative phrase).

Structural Analysis: A straightforward declarative structure, where "alms" is the subject, ideal for factual SEO descriptions.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Have you ever given alms to someone in need?

Thai: คุณเคยแจกทานให้ใครที่ต้องการความช่วยเหลือบ้างไหม (Khun koey jaak thaan hai khrai thi dtong-gan khwam chûp-lêu bang mai?).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Have you" (auxiliary verb + subject) + "ever given" (adverb + verb, present perfect) + "alms" (direct object) + "to someone" (prepositional phrase) + "in need" (adjective phrase)?

Structural Analysis: An interrogative sentence with inversion for the question form, using "alms" as the object to engage readers in SEO-optimized queries.

Imperative Sentence

English: Please give alms to the beggar on the street.

Thai: กรุณาแจกทานให้ขอทานบนถนน (Ga-rú-na jaak thaan hai kôr-thaan bon thon).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Please" (polite adverb) + "give" (imperative verb) + "alms" (direct object) + "to the beggar" (prepositional phrase) + "on the street" (locative phrase).

Structural Analysis: Direct imperative form, with "alms" as the object, encouraging action for motivational SEO content.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a generous act of giving alms to the community!

Thai: นี่เป็นการแจกทานที่ใจกว้างต่อชุมชนจริงๆ! (Ní pen gaan jaak thaan thi jai kwaang tor chum-chon jing-jing!)

Grammatical Breakdown: "What a" (exclamation starter) + "generous act" (noun phrase) + "of giving" (prepositional phrase) + "alms" (object of preposition) + "to the community" (prepositional phrase) + "!"

Structural Analysis: An exclamatory sentence emphasizing emotion, with "alms" integrated into a descriptive phrase for impactful SEO narratives.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: People give alms to monks.

Thai: ผู้คนแจกทานให้พระ (Puu kon jaak thaan hai phra).

Grammatical Breakdown: "People" (subject) + "give" (verb) + "alms" (direct object) + "to monks" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: A basic subject-verb-object structure, easy for beginners and SEO basics.

Intermediate Sentence

English: In many cultures, giving alms is seen as a way to build good karma.

Thai: ในวัฒนธรรมหลายแห่ง การแจกทานถูกมองว่าเป็นวิธีสร้างบุญกุศล (Nai wat-ta-na-tham lae fang, gaan jaak thaan thuk mong wa pen wi-thi sang bun kut-son).

Grammatical Breakdown: "In many cultures" (prepositional phrase) + "giving alms" (gerund subject) + "is seen" (verb phrase) + "as a way" (prepositional phrase) + "to build good karma" (infinitive phrase).

Structural Analysis: Includes a gerund and infinitive, adding complexity while keeping "alms" central for intermediate learners.

Complex Sentence

English: Although alms have been a tradition for centuries, modern society often replaces them with organized charities, which provide more sustainable support.

Thai: แม้ว่าทานจะเป็นประเพณีมานานหลายศตวรรษ แต่สังคมสมัยใหม่มักแทนที่ด้วยองค์กรการกุศลที่ให้การสนับสนุนอย่างยั่งยืน (Mâe wa thaan ja pen bpra-pha-ni ma naan lae sat-wa-rat, tae sang-khom samai mai mak tan thi dûng ok-kon gaan kut-son thi hai kan sanub-sun yang yang yuen).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although alms have been a tradition" (subordinate clause) + "for centuries" (prepositional phrase) + "," + "modern society" (subject) + "often replaces them" (verb phrase) + "with organized charities" (prepositional phrase) + "," + "which provide" (relative clause) + "more sustainable support" (object phrase).

Structural Analysis: A multi-clause structure with subordination, using "alms" in a historical context for advanced SEO discussions.

Related Phrases and Expressions

• Synonyms/Near Synonyms:
  • Charity – Used interchangeably with alms in contexts of giving to the poor; it emphasizes broader humanitarian efforts (e.g., "Charity begins at home").
  • Donation – A near synonym focusing on formal contributions, often in non-religious settings (e.g., "Make a donation to the fund").
• Antonyms:
  • Greed – Represents selfishness and hoarding, contrasting alms' generosity (e.g., "Greed leads to inequality").
  • Selfishness – The opposite of alms-giving, implying a lack of compassion (e.g., "Selfishness hinders community progress").
• Common Collocations:
  • Give alms – Refers to the act of providing charity, commonly in religious contexts (e.g., "Buddhists give alms daily").
  • Beg for alms – Describes soliciting charity, often associated with street scenarios (e.g., "The beggar begs for alms on the corner").

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

Cultural Point 1: In Thai culture, alms are integral to Buddhism, symbolizing the cycle of giving and receiving merit. For instance, the daily alms round (known as "tak bat") where monks collect food from laypeople fosters community bonds and spiritual purity, dating back to ancient traditions in Southeast Asia. This practice contrasts with Western views, where alms might reference biblical charity, highlighting cross-cultural SEO topics like "alms in Buddhism."

Usage Habits:

Habit 1: Alms-related terms like "ทาน" are frequently used in Thailand, especially among Buddhists, with high popularity in rural areas and during festivals. It's common among all age groups for daily rituals, but less so in urban, secular settings; this makes it a niche phrase in modern conversations, appearing in about 10-20% of charitable discussions based on cultural surveys.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Alms" functions primarily as a plural noun, serving as the subject, direct object, or object of a preposition in sentences. For example, it can be the object in "give alms" or the subject in "Alms are essential." In Thai translations, it aligns with nouns like "ทาน," which also act as subjects or objects.

Tense and Voice: As a noun, "alms" doesn't change with tense, but it's often paired with verbs that do (e.g., "gave alms" in past tense or "will give alms" in future). In passive voice, it appears in constructions like "Alms were distributed," emphasizing the action rather than the doer. In Thai, verb tenses are less explicit, relying on context.

References

Etymology and History:

The word "alms" originates from the Old English "ælmesse," derived from the Latin "eleemosyna" and Greek "eleēmosynē," meaning "pity" or "compassion." It evolved through Middle English to its modern form, historically tied to Christian charity. In Thailand, its equivalent "ทาน" comes from Pali (an ancient language of Buddhist texts), reflecting the influence of Theravada Buddhism since the 13th century.

Literary References:

In the Bible (e.g., Matthew 6:1-4), "alms" is referenced as: "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them." This passage underscores discreet charity. In Thai literature, such as the epic "Traiphum Phra Ruang," alms-giving is depicted as a path to enlightenment, illustrating its cultural significance in SEO-optimized historical analyses.