Main Translations

English: by

Thai: โดย (dooi)

Phonetic: dooi

Detailed Explanation: The translation "โดย" is primarily used as a preposition to indicate means, agency, or method. For instance, it conveys actions performed through someone or something, similar to "by" in English. Usage scenarios include formal contexts like instructions or descriptions, where it adds a sense of efficiency or indirect involvement. Emotionally, it carries a neutral connotation but can imply subtlety or indirectness, which is common in Thai communication to maintain politeness. Semantic nuances include its role in passive voice constructions, such as "done by someone," emphasizing the doer without direct accusation.

Thai: ข้าง (khang)

Phonetic: khang

Detailed Explanation: "ข้าง" translates to "by" in the spatial sense, meaning "beside," "near," or "alongside." It is used in everyday scenarios to describe proximity or location. For example, it might appear in casual conversations about directions or descriptions. Emotionally, it evokes a sense of closeness or familiarity, often with a warm or relational undertone in Thai culture. Semantic nuances involve its flexibility in idiomatic expressions, where it can subtly imply companionship or adjacency, reflecting Thailand's emphasis on social harmony.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "by" is a versatile English preposition with multiple functions, including indicating location (e.g., beside something), means or agency (e.g., through an action), time (e.g., not later than), and measurement (e.g., in increments). In Thai translations like "โดย" or "ข้าง," it adapts to similar contexts but with cultural nuances toward indirectness and politeness. Common scenarios include business (e.g., professional instructions), leisure (e.g., travel descriptions), formal occasions (e.g., official documents), and informal settings (e.g., daily conversations). Overall, "by" enhances sentence clarity by linking ideas, and its usage varies by context to avoid ambiguity.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The project was completed by the team before the deadline.

Thai: โครงการถูกเสร็จสิ้นโดยทีมงานก่อนกำหนดเวลา (Khroongngaan thuuk serd sin dooi team-ngaan kon kam-ngd welaa).

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" (dooi) acts as a preposition indicating agency (the team). "The project was completed" is the main clause in passive voice, with "before the deadline" as a prepositional phrase for time.

Structural Analysis: This sentence follows a subject-verb-object structure in passive form, where "by" introduces the agent. In Thai, the structure is flexible but maintains subject-verb agreement, emphasizing efficiency in business communication.

Leisure Scenario

English: We relaxed by the beach during our vacation.

Thai: เราผ่อนคลายข้างชายหาดระหว่างวันหยุด (Rao plon khlai khang chaai haat bai nai wan yud).

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" (khang) indicates location (beside the beach). "We relaxed" is the subject-verb phrase, and "during our vacation" specifies time.

Structural Analysis: The sentence uses a simple declarative structure, with "by" adding spatial detail. In Thai, it promotes a relaxed tone, common in leisure contexts, by placing the location phrase early for emphasis.

Formal Occasion

English: The award was presented by the CEO at the annual gala.

Thai: รางวัลถูกมอบโดยซีอีโอในงานกาล่าประจำปี (Raang-wan thuuk maawb dooi see-ee-oh nai ngan gala bpra-jam bpee).

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" (dooi) denotes the agent (the CEO). "The award was presented" is passive, and "at the annual gala" is a prepositional phrase.

Structural Analysis: This employs a formal passive structure for objectivity. In Thai, the word order prioritizes the agent for respect, aligning with cultural norms in formal events.

Informal Occasion

English: Let's meet by the coffee shop after work.

Thai: มาเจอกันข้างร้านกาแฟหลังเลิกงาน (Maa jeo gan khang raan gaa-f lang leek ngan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" (khang) indicates location. "Let's meet" is an imperative suggestion, and "after work" adds time.

Structural Analysis: Informal and direct, this sentence uses "by" for casual planning. Thai structure keeps it concise, reflecting everyday politeness.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: The book was written by a famous author.

Thai: หนังสือถูกเขียนโดยนักเขียนชื่อดัง (Nang-seu thuuk kian dooi nak-kian chuea dang).

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" (dooi) specifies the agent. "The book was written" is the main clause in passive voice.

Structural Analysis: Standard subject-verb-object, used for stating facts; Thai version maintains neutrality.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Was the cake baked by your mother?

Thai: คุกกี้ถูกอบโดยแม่ของคุณหรือ? (Khuk-ki thuuk aawp dooi mae khong khun rue?)

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" (dooi) indicates agency. The sentence inverts subject-verb for a question.

Structural Analysis: Question form with auxiliary verb; Thai uses "หรือ" for inquiry, making it polite.

Imperative Sentence

English: Stand by the door and wait for me.

Thai: ยืนอยู่ข้างประตูและรอฉัน (Yeun yuu khang bpra-tu lae raw chan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" (khang) denotes location. "Stand and wait" are commands.

Structural Analysis: Direct imperative; Thai softens it with implicit politeness.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a surprise by the window!

Thai: น่า Surprise ข้างหน้าต่าง! (Naa Surprise khang naa taang!)

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" (khang) indicates position. Exclamation mark adds emphasis.

Structural Analysis: Exclamatory for emotion; Thai incorporates English loanwords for modernity.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: Go by the park.

Thai: ไปข้างสวน (Bai khang suan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" (khang) means near. "Go" is the verb.

Structural Analysis: Basic command; easy for beginners.

Intermediate Sentence

English: The letter was sent by express mail yesterday.

Thai: จดหมายถูกส่งโดยไปรษณีย์ด่วนเมื่อวานนี้ (Chad-mai thuuk song dooi bpai-rat-ni-yee duan muea waan nee).

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" (dooi) indicates method. Includes time adverb.

Structural Analysis: Passive with modifiers; builds on basic structures.

Complex Sentence

English: Although the meeting was delayed by traffic, we arrived by noon and finalized the deal.

Thai: แม้ว่าการประชุมจะล่าช้าด้วยการจราจร แต่เรามาถึงภายในเที่ยงและเสร็จสิ้นข้อตกลง (Maew wa gaan bpra-chum ja laa cha dooi gaan ja-raj tae rao maa teung bpai nai thiang lae serd sin eua dtok long).

Grammatical Breakdown: "By" appears twice: for cause (dooi) and time (bpai nai). Includes subordinate clauses.

Structural Analysis: Multi-clause with conjunctions; demonstrates advanced usage in narratives.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Through – Used for means or process, e.g., "achieved through hard work," implying a pathway similar to "by."
• Via – Indicates a route or medium, e.g., "sent via email," often interchangeable with "by" in digital contexts.

Antonyms:

• Against – Contrasts with "by" in location or opposition, e.g., "leaning against the wall," implying resistance.
• From – Opposes "by" in origin, e.g., "from the north," focusing on source rather than proximity or agency.

Common Collocations:

• By the time – Used for deadlines, e.g., "By the time we finish, it will be late," emphasizing temporal limits.
• By far – Indicates superiority, e.g., "The best by far," for emphasis in comparisons.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

• Cultural Point 1: In Thai culture, words like "โดย" (translating "by") often reflect the value of indirect communication to preserve face and harmony. For example, saying "done by someone" avoids direct blame, aligning with Thailand's collectivist society where group dynamics are prioritized over individual agency.

Usage Habits:

• Habit 1: "By" and its Thai equivalents are frequently used in everyday speech among urban professionals and students, with high popularity in written forms like emails or social media. It's less common in rural areas, where simpler language prevails, but applicable across all age groups for directions and instructions.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function:

"By" primarily functions as a preposition, linking nouns or pronouns to other words in a sentence. It can indicate agent (in passive voice, e.g., "written by"), location (e.g., "by the river"), time (e.g., "by Friday"), or means (e.g., "by car"). In Thai, it adapts as a particle or preposition, often modifying verbs without changing the sentence's core structure.

Tense and Voice:

"By" remains unchanged across tenses but is common in passive voice constructions (e.g., "was done by" in past tense). In active voice, it might shift to indicate ongoing actions (e.g., "going by bus"). Thai equivalents like "โดย" don't alter for tense, relying on context or auxiliary verbs for voice changes.

References

Etymology and History:

The word "by" originates from Old English "be," meaning "near" or "by," evolving from Proto-Germanic roots. It has maintained its prepositional role through Middle English, adapting to modern uses in expressions of proximity and agency. In Thai, related words like "โดย" derive from Pali and Sanskrit influences through historical trade, reflecting linguistic evolution in Southeast Asia.

Literary References:

• From William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" (Act 1, Scene 2): "But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue." Here, "by" isn't directly used, but in adapted contexts like "by my troth," it signifies oaths. In Thai literature, such as in the epic "Phra Aphai Mani" by Sunthorn Phu, equivalents of "by" appear in descriptive passages, e.g., "by the sea," emphasizing narrative flow.