Main Translations

• English: apply
• Thai: สมัคร (samak)
• Phonetic: samak
• Detailed Explanation: This primary translation is used in formal contexts like job applications, school enrollments, or visa processes. It implies a proactive action to seek opportunities and often carries a neutral to positive emotional connotation, evoking ambition or necessity. Semantic nuances include the idea of submission or initiation, as in "apply for a job," which highlights competition and formal procedures in professional settings.
• Thai: นำไปใช้ (nam pai chai)
• Phonetic: nam pai chai
• Detailed Explanation: This secondary translation refers to the act of putting something into practice, such as applying knowledge, a method, or a product (e.g., applying makeup). It has a practical and action-oriented nuance, often with a positive emotional connotation of implementation or effectiveness. In usage scenarios, it emphasizes real-world application rather than formal requests, making it versatile in educational, scientific, or everyday contexts.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "apply" is a versatile verb in English, primarily used in professional, educational, and practical contexts. It can denote formal actions like submitting applications (e.g., for jobs or scholarships) or practical implementations (e.g., applying rules or products). In Thai, translations adapt to these scenarios, with "สมัคร" focusing on formal submissions and "นำไปใช้" on application in action. Common usage includes business environments for job-related activities, leisure for personal skills, and formal/informal settings for everyday decisions, making it essential for language learners and professionals.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

• English: I need to apply for the new position at the company before the deadline.
• Thai: ฉันต้องสมัครตำแหน่งงานใหม่ที่บริษัทก่อนถึงกำหนดเวลา (Chan tǎng samak dtam-nǎng ngahn mài tîi brà-jàt gòn tĕung kam-nòt wí-laa).
• Grammatical Breakdown: "I need to" (subject + modal verb) indicates necessity; "apply for" (verb + preposition) shows the action; "the new position at the company" (object + modifiers) specifies what is being applied for; "before the deadline" (prepositional phrase) adds time constraint.
• Structural Analysis: This is a simple declarative sentence with a subject-verb-object structure. The verb "apply" functions as the main action, emphasizing professional intent, and is commonly used in business English to discuss career advancement.

Leisure Scenario

• English: She likes to apply new techniques when cooking her favorite recipes.
• Thai: เธอชอบนำเทคนิคใหม่ไปใช้เมื่อทำอาหารโปรดของเธอ (Ter chôp nam tek-ník mài pai chai mêu tham aa-hǎan prôd kǎw ter).
• Grammatical Breakdown: "She likes to" (subject + verb phrase) expresses preference; "apply new techniques" (verb + object) describes the action; "when cooking her favorite recipes" (subordinate clause) provides context.
• Structural Analysis: This compound sentence integrates a main clause with a dependent clause, showcasing "apply" in a casual, creative context. It highlights practical usage, common in leisure activities like hobbies.

Formal Occasion

• English: The scholar will apply advanced theories during the conference presentation.
• Thai: นักวิชาการจะนำทฤษฎีขั้นสูงไปใช้ในการนำเสนอที่การประชุม (Nák wí-chaa-gaan jà nam tríd-dtree khăn sǔng pai chai nai gaan nǎm sà-nòr tîi gaan prachoom).
• Grammatical Breakdown: "The scholar will" (subject + future auxiliary) sets the future action; "apply advanced theories" (verb + object) is the core; "during the conference presentation" (prepositional phrase) specifies the setting.
• Structural Analysis: A declarative sentence with a formal tone, where "apply" demonstrates intellectual application. This structure is typical in academic or professional formalities, emphasizing precision and expertise.

Informal Occasion

• English: Let's apply some sunscreen before we go to the beach.
• Thai: มาทาโลชั่นกันแดดก่อนที่เราจะไปทะเลกันเถอะ (Maa tha lo-chon gan daed gòn tîi rao jà pai ta-lay gan thoe).
• Grammatical Breakdown: "Let's" (contraction of "let us") suggests suggestion; "apply some sunscreen" (verb + object) is the imperative action; "before we go to the beach" (subordinate clause) adds condition.
• Structural Analysis: An imperative sentence structure that uses "apply" in a relaxed, everyday context. It promotes casual advice, often seen in informal conversations about health or daily routines.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

• English: He decided to apply for the scholarship yesterday.
• Thai: เขาตัดสินใจสมัครทุนการศึกษาวานนี้ (Kǎo dtàt sin jai samak tun gaan sèuk-sǎa wâan nîi).
• Grammatical Breakdown: "He decided to" (subject + verb phrase) states the decision; "apply for the scholarship" (infinitive verb + object) details the action; "yesterday" (adverb) indicates time.
• Structural Analysis: Straightforward subject-verb-object structure, ideal for stating facts, with "apply" conveying a completed action.

Interrogative Sentence

• English: Did you apply for the job online?
• Thai: คุณสมัครงานออนไลน์หรือไม่ (Kun samak ngahn online rĕu mâi?).
• Grammatical Breakdown: "Did you" (auxiliary verb + subject) forms the question; "apply for the job online" (verb + object + adverb) is the query focus.
• Structural Analysis: Inverted structure for questions, where "apply" probes for confirmation, common in conversational English.

Imperative Sentence

• English: Apply the brakes immediately to avoid the accident.
• Thai: นำเบรกไปใช้ทันทีเพื่อหลีกเลี่ยงอุบัติเหตุ (Nam brek pai chai tăn dtee pêu lîk lîang ù-bàt-dti-hèt).
• Grammatical Breakdown: "Apply the brakes" (verb + object) gives a command; "immediately to avoid" (adverb + infinitive phrase) adds urgency.
• Structural Analysis: Direct command form, with "apply" urging action, often used in safety or instructional contexts.

Exclamatory Sentence

• English: How quickly she can apply those skills in real life!
• Thai: เธอสามารถนำทักษะเหล่านั้นไปใช้ในชีวิตจริงได้รวดเร็วแค่ไหน! (Ter sǎa-mârt nam ták-sàa lĕo nan pai chai nai chii-wít jing dâi rùt seùw kâe nâi!)
• Grammatical Breakdown: "How quickly" (exclamation starter) expresses surprise; "she can apply those skills" (subject + modal verb + verb + object) is the main clause.
• Structural Analysis: Emphatic structure to convey admiration, with "apply" highlighting impressive capability.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

• English: I apply for jobs online.
• Thai: ฉันสมัครงานออนไลน์ (Chan samak ngahn online).
• Grammatical Breakdown: "I" (subject); "apply for jobs online" (verb + object + adverb).
• Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb-object, beginner-level, focusing on core meaning of "apply."

Intermediate Sentence

• English: After reviewing the instructions, we decided to apply the method carefully.
• Thai: หลังจากทบทวนคำแนะนำ เราตัดสินใจนำวิธีไปใช้อย่างระมัดระวัง (Lang jàk tàp bòon kam nàe-nam, rao dtàt sin jai nam wí-thi pai chai àang rà-màt rà-wang).
• Grammatical Breakdown: "After reviewing" (subordinate clause); "we decided to apply" (main clause with verb); "the method carefully" (object + adverb).
• Structural Analysis: Compound structure with clauses, showing conditional application of "apply."

Complex Sentence

• English: Although it was challenging, the team managed to apply innovative strategies that ultimately led to success.
• Thai: แม้ว่ามันจะท้าทาย แต่ทีมงานสามารถนำกลยุทธ์นวัตกรรมไปใช้จนนำไปสู่ความสำเร็จ (Mâe wâa man jà tàa taai, tàe tim ngahn sǎa-mârt nam gla yút nà-wát grah-rim pai chai jon nam pai sùe kwaam sǎm-rèt).
• Grammatical Breakdown: "Although it was challenging" (concessive clause); "the team managed to apply" (main clause); "innovative strategies that ultimately led to success" (object + relative clause).
• Structural Analysis: Multi-clause structure for advanced users, illustrating "apply" in a nuanced, outcome-oriented context.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Submit an application – Used interchangeably with "apply" in formal contexts, emphasizing the act of sending documents (e.g., for jobs or grants).
• Put into practice – A near synonym for the practical sense of "apply," often in educational or professional settings to mean implementation.

Antonyms:

• Ignore – Contrasts with "apply" by suggesting disregard, as in not using or submitting something (e.g., ignoring an opportunity).
• Withdraw – The opposite of applying for something, implying removal or cancellation of an application.

Common Collocations:

• Apply for a visa – Frequently used in travel and immigration contexts, highlighting formal processes.
• Apply pressure – Common in metaphorical or physical scenarios, such as in negotiations or mechanics, to denote force or influence.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

• Cultural Point 1: In Western cultures, "apply" is deeply tied to individualism and opportunity, as seen in job markets like the U.S., where it's associated with self-advancement. In Thai culture, however, "สมัคร" often reflects collectivism, emphasizing family or community support in applications, such as for scholarships, which may involve group decisions.

Usage Habits:

• Habit 1: "Apply" is highly frequent in professional and educational contexts among young adults and professionals in Thailand and globally. It's popular in online platforms like job sites, with informal usage rising in digital communication, but formal applications remain prevalent in official settings.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function:

"Apply" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring an object (e.g., "apply for a job"), where it acts as the main action in a sentence. It can also be intransitive in some contexts, like "the rule applies," meaning it is relevant. In Thai translations, it adapts to verb forms like "สมัคร" or "นำไปใช้," often as the predicate.

Tense and Voice:

"Apply" changes with tenses: present (apply), past (applied), future (will apply). In passive voice, it becomes "is applied" (e.g., "The method is applied daily"), shifting focus from the doer to the action. This flexibility allows for nuanced expressions in both English and Thai, where voice changes can alter formality.

References

Etymology and History:

The word "apply" originates from the Latin "applicare," meaning "to join or attach," evolving through Old French to Middle English around the 14th century. It gained modern usage in the 16th century for formal requests and practical applications, reflecting shifts in education and industry. In Thai, "สมัคร" derives from Sanskrit influences, commonly used since the 19th century in administrative contexts.

Literary References:

• From Shakespeare's "Hamlet" (Act 1, Scene 2): "Apply you to our service," where "apply" signifies dedication, illustrating its historical use in loyalty contexts.
• In modern literature, from George Orwell's "1984": "They apply the principles of Ingsoc rigorously," showing "apply" in a thematic sense of enforcement, sourced from the novel's critique of totalitarianism.