Main Translations

English: Cardboard

Thai: กระดาษแข็ง (krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng)

Phonetic: [Roman Phonetic] krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng

Detailed Explanation: The term "cardboard" refers to a thick, stiff material made from paper pulp, commonly used for packaging, crafting, and construction. In Thai, "กระดาษแข็ง" directly translates to "stiff paper" and is used in everyday scenarios like making boxes or art projects. It carries neutral emotional connotations, often associated with practicality and recyclability. Semantic nuances include its eco-friendly aspects in modern contexts, such as sustainable packaging in e-commerce, which aligns with Thailand's growing emphasis on environmental awareness.

Thai: กล่องกระดาษ (glɔ̀ng krà-dâat)

Phonetic: [Roman Phonetic] glɔ̀ng krà-dâat

Detailed Explanation: As a secondary translation, "กล่องกระดาษ" means "paper box" and specifically refers to items made from cardboard, such as shipping containers or storage boxes. This term is more context-specific, often implying a three-dimensional object rather than the material itself. Emotionally, it evokes ideas of protection and utility, with nuances tied to cultural habits in Thailand where cardboard boxes are reused for storage or play (e.g., in children's games). In urban settings, it highlights themes of consumerism and waste management.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

Cardboard is a versatile noun primarily used in contexts involving materials, packaging, and creative activities. Its main usage scenarios include everyday applications like packaging in business, crafting in leisure, formal descriptions in educational or professional settings, and informal references in daily conversations. In Thai culture, it often appears in discussions about recycling and sustainability, reflecting its practical and environmentally conscious role.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: We need to order more cardboard for our packaging needs to ensure the products arrive safely.

Thai: เราต้องสั่งกระดาษแข็งเพิ่มสำหรับการบรรจุเพื่อให้สินค้าถึงปลายทางอย่างปลอดภัย (Rao dtông sǎng krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng pɛ̀em sǎhm-ràp gaan ban-jùn pûng sîn kǎh tĕung plaai tang àang plàwk-saai).

Grammatical Breakdown: "We" (subject, pronoun), "need" (verb, indicating necessity), "to order" (infinitive phrase, action), "more cardboard" (direct object, noun phrase), "for our packaging needs" (prepositional phrase, specifying purpose).

Structural Analysis: This is a declarative sentence with a subject-verb-object structure. It uses future-oriented language ("need to order") to convey business planning, emphasizing practicality in SEO contexts like e-commerce logistics.

Leisure Scenario

English: The children built a fun fort out of cardboard during the weekend playtime.

Thai: เด็กๆ สร้างป้อมที่สนุกจากกระดาษแข็งในช่วงเวลาว่างสุดสัปดาห์ (Dèk-dèk sà-rǎng bpom têe sà-nùk jàak krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng nai chûng we-la wâang sùt sàp-dah).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The children" (subject, noun phrase), "built" (verb, past tense action), "a fun fort" (direct object, noun phrase with adjective), "out of cardboard" (prepositional phrase, material specification), "during the weekend playtime" (adverbial phrase, time indicator).

Structural Analysis: This declarative sentence follows a simple subject-verb-object pattern, with modifiers for vividness. It highlights recreational use, making it relatable for SEO keywords like "cardboard crafts for kids."

Formal Occasion

English: In the environmental report, cardboard is highlighted as a sustainable material for reducing plastic waste.

Thai: ในรายงานสิ่งแวดล้อม กระดาษแข็งถูกเน้นย้ำว่าเป็นวัสดุที่ยั่งยืนสำหรับลดขยะพลาสติก (Nai ra-ya-worn sǐng-wàt-láwm, krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng tûk nén yam wâa bpen wát-dù têe yang-yùn sǎhm-ràp lûd kà-yá plàat-sà-tìk).

Grammatical Breakdown: "In the environmental report" (prepositional phrase, context), "cardboard" (subject), "is highlighted" (verb phrase, passive voice), "as a sustainable material" (complement, noun phrase), "for reducing plastic waste" (infinitive phrase, purpose).

Structural Analysis: A declarative sentence with passive voice ("is highlighted") for formality, suitable for professional or academic discussions, aligning with SEO for "sustainable cardboard."

Informal Occasion

English: Hey, do you have any extra cardboard? I want to make something cool for the party.

Thai: เฮ้ คุณมีกระดาษแข็งเหลือๆ บ้างไหม ฉันอยากทำอะไรน่าสนใจสำหรับปาร์ตี้ (Hèe, kun mee krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng lʉ̌a-lʉ̌a bâang mái, chăn yàak tam à-rai nâa sà-nùk sǎhm-ràp bpàat-dtee).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Hey" (interjection), "do you have" (interrogative verb phrase), "any extra cardboard" (object, noun phrase), "I want" (subject-verb clause), "to make something cool" (infinitive phrase), "for the party" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: This is an interrogative sentence starting with an interjection for casual tone. It blends inquiry with declarative elements, ideal for everyday SEO contexts like "DIY cardboard projects."

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: Cardboard is an affordable and versatile material.

Thai: กระดาษแข็งเป็นวัสดุที่ราคาถูกและใช้งานได้หลากหลาย (Krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng bpen wát-dù têe raa-khâa tûk láe jàak-ngaam dâi lãak-lee).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Cardboard" (subject), "is" (linking verb), "an affordable and versatile material" (predicate nominative).

Structural Analysis: Straightforward subject-verb-complement structure, used for stating facts.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Is this cardboard strong enough for the project?

Thai: กระดาษแข็งอันนี้แข็งแรงพอสำหรับโครงการหรือไม่ (Krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng an-nîi kɛ̌ɛng raang bpaw sǎhm-ràp kraw-gaan rʉ̌ʉ mǎi).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Is" (auxiliary verb for question), "this cardboard" (subject), "strong enough" (predicate adjective), "for the project" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Inverted structure for questioning, common in inquiries about material quality.

Imperative Sentence

English: Recycle the cardboard to help the environment.

Thai: รีไซเคิลกระดาษแข็งเพื่อช่วยสิ่งแวดล้อม (Rí-sai-kèel krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng pûeu chûp sǐng-wàt-láwm).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Recycle" (imperative verb), "the cardboard" (direct object), "to help the environment" (infinitive phrase).

Structural Analysis: Command form without a subject, promoting action.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a sturdy piece of cardboard this is!

Thai: นี่เป็นกระดาษแข็งที่แข็งแรงมากเลย! (Nîi bpen krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng têe kɛ̌ɛng raang mâak loei!)

Grammatical Breakdown: "What a sturdy piece" (exclamation starter), "of cardboard this is" (subject-predicate).

Structural Analysis: Emphasizes surprise or admiration through exclamation.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: I like cardboard.

Thai: ฉันชอบกระดาษแข็ง (Chăn chôp krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng).

Grammatical Breakdown: "I" (subject), "like" (verb), "cardboard" (object).

Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb-object for beginners.

Intermediate Sentence

English: The box is made of recycled cardboard.

Thai: กล่องทำจากกระดาษแข็งที่รีไซเคิลแล้ว (Glɔ̀ng tam jàak krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng têe rí-sai-kèel lɛ́o).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The box" (subject), "is made" (verb phrase), "of recycled cardboard" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Includes passive construction for added complexity.

Complex Sentence

English: Although cardboard is lightweight, it provides excellent protection when used in shipping, which is why it's popular in global trade.

Thai: แม้ว่ากระดาษแข็งจะเบาแต่ก็ให้การปกป้องที่ยอดเยี่ยมเมื่อใช้ในการขนส่ง ซึ่งเป็นเหตุผลที่มันได้รับความนิยมในธุรกิจการค้าระหว่างประเทศ (Mâe wâa krà-dâat kɛ̌ɛng jà bao tæ̀e gôr hâi gaan bpòk-bpong têe yót yîm mʉ̂ʉa chái nai gaan khon sòng, sʉ̌ng bpen hèt lôot têe man dâai ráp kwaam niyom nai tʉ́k-gìt gaan kâa rà-wàang bprà-tʉ́et).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although cardboard is lightweight" (subordinate clause), "it provides excellent protection" (main clause), "when used in shipping" (subordinate clause), "which is why" (relative clause).

Structural Analysis: Multiple clauses for advanced expression, suitable for detailed discussions.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Cardstock – Used for thicker paper in printing or crafting, similar to cardboard in durability.
• Corrugated board – Refers to layered cardboard for packaging, emphasizing strength in industrial contexts.

Antonyms:

• Fabric – Represents soft, flexible materials, contrasting cardboard's rigidity in creative projects.
• Plastic – Highlights non-paper alternatives, often used in discussions of environmental impact versus cardboard.

Common Collocations:

• Cardboard box – Commonly used for storage or shipping, as in e-commerce packaging.
• Recycled cardboard – Refers to eco-friendly applications, popular in sustainability campaigns.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

• Cultural Point 1: In Thai culture, cardboard symbolizes resourcefulness and recycling, often featured in festivals like Songkran where makeshift structures are built from recycled materials. This reflects Thailand's "Sufficiency Economy" philosophy, promoting sustainable living.

Usage Habits:

• Habit 1: Cardboard is frequently used in daily life among urban Thais for DIY projects and packaging, with high popularity in middle-class households. It's common in educational settings for children, appearing in 70-80% of school crafts, according to local surveys, making it a staple for all age groups.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Cardboard" functions primarily as a countable or uncountable noun, serving as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase (e.g., "The cardboard is strong" – subject; "Use cardboard" – object).

Tense and Voice: As a noun, it doesn't change with tenses but can appear in various verb constructions. In passive voice, it's often used in sentences like "Cardboard was recycled" to describe processes.

References

Etymology and History:

Originating in the early 19th century from the English words "card" (stiff paper) and "board" (thick material), "cardboard" evolved with the industrial revolution for packaging. In Thailand, it gained prominence post-WWII with imported goods, influencing modern recycling practices.

Literary References:

• In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," cardboard symbolizes transient wealth: "The books were made of cardboard, as if they had been bought by the yard" (Chapter 3), highlighting materialism.
• In contemporary Thai literature, such as in the works of Saneh Sangsuk, cardboard appears in descriptions of rural life, representing everyday ingenuity in short stories about village crafts.