Main Translations

English: cast

Thai: โยน (yon)

Phonetic: yon

Detailed Explanation: The word "cast" as a verb primarily means to throw or hurl something forcefully, often with precision or intent. It is commonly used in physical contexts like fishing, voting, or discarding. Usage scenarios include everyday actions, such as casting a fishing line or a vote, and it carries neutral to positive emotional connotations depending on the context—excitement in sports or decision-making, but potential negativity in rejection. Semantic nuances involve directionality and projection, emphasizing the act of sending something outward. In Thai, "โยน" is a direct equivalent, used in similar scenarios like throwing a ball or making a quick decision.

Thai: คัดเลือก (kat leuk)

Phonetic: kat leuk

Detailed Explanation: As a secondary translation, "cast" can refer to the process of selecting or assigning roles, especially in theater, film, or performance arts. This usage implies careful evaluation and choice, often with creative or professional undertones. Emotionally, it evokes anticipation or competition, as in casting actors for a play. Semantic nuances highlight selectivity and preparation, differing from the physical "throwing" sense. In Thai, "คัดเลือก" is used for selection processes, such as in auditions, and is common in entertainment or business contexts like hiring talent.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "cast" is versatile and appears in various contexts. As a verb, it often involves throwing or projecting (e.g., casting a line in fishing) or assigning roles (e.g., in theater). As a noun, it refers to a group of actors, a molded object like a plaster cast, or even a social group. Main usage scenarios include recreational activities (e.g., fishing), professional settings (e.g., film production), and everyday decisions (e.g., casting a vote). Its frequency varies by region, with higher use in English-speaking countries for creative industries, and it adapts easily to formal and informal communication.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The manager decided to cast the deciding vote in the board meeting to resolve the deadlock.

Thai: ผู้จัดการตัดสินใจโยนคะแนนโหวตตัดสินในการประชุมคณะกรรมการเพื่อคลี่คลายทางตัน。

Grammatical Breakdown: "The manager" (subject, noun phrase) + "decided" (verb, past tense) + "to cast" (infinitive verb phrase) + "the deciding vote" (direct object, noun phrase) + "in the board meeting" (prepositional phrase) + "to resolve the deadlock" (infinitive clause for purpose).

Structural Analysis: This sentence follows a subject-verb-object structure with a subordinate clause, emphasizing decision-making in a formal business context. "Cast" functions as a transitive verb, highlighting action and outcome, which is common in professional English for voting scenarios.

Leisure Scenario

English: During our fishing trip, I cast the line into the river and waited patiently for a bite.

Thai: ในระหว่างทริปตกปลาของเรา ฉันโยนสายเบ็ดลงแม่น้ำและรออย่างอดทนเพื่อให้ปลากินเหยื่อ。

Grammatical Breakdown: "During our fishing trip" (prepositional phrase, adverbial) + "I" (subject, pronoun) + "cast" (verb, past tense) + "the line" (direct object, noun phrase) + "into the river" (prepositional phrase) + "and waited" (coordinating conjunction + verb phrase) + "patiently for a bite" (adverb + prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: The sentence uses a compound structure with "and" to connect actions, making it dynamic for recreational narratives. "Cast" acts as a transitive verb, evoking excitement in leisure activities, and the Thai translation maintains the sequential flow.

Formal Occasion

English: The director will cast the lead actor for the upcoming theater production at the gala event.

Thai: ผู้อำนวยการจะคัดเลือกนักแสดงนำสำหรับการแสดงละครเวทีที่กำลังจะมาถึงในงานกาล่า。

Grammatical Breakdown: "The director" (subject, noun phrase) + "will cast" (modal verb + verb, future tense) + "the lead actor" (direct object, noun phrase) + "for the upcoming theater production" (prepositional phrase) + "at the gala event" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: This declarative sentence employs a simple subject-verb-object pattern with prepositional modifiers, suitable for formal announcements. "Cast" here implies a selective process, aligning with professional etiquette in arts events.

Informal Occasion

English: Hey, let's cast some stones into the pond and see how far they skip!

Thai: เฮ้ มาลองโยนก้อนหินลงบ่อแล้วดูสิว่ามันเด้งไปไกลแค่ไหน!

Grammatical Breakdown: "Hey" (interjection) + "let's" (contraction of "let us," imperative form) + "cast" (verb) + "some stones" (direct object, noun phrase) + "into the pond" (prepositional phrase) + "and see" (coordinating conjunction + verb phrase) + "how far they skip" (subordinate clause).

Structural Analysis: The sentence is informal and imperative, using "let's" for suggestion. "Cast" functions as an action verb in casual dialogue, promoting interactivity in everyday fun activities.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: The fishermen cast their nets early in the morning.

Thai: ชาวประมงโยนอวนแต่เช้า。

Grammatical Breakdown: "The fishermen" (subject, noun phrase) + "cast" (verb, past tense) + "their nets" (direct object, possessive noun phrase) + "early in the morning" (adverbial phrase).

Structural Analysis: A straightforward subject-verb-object structure, ideal for stating facts. "Cast" describes a routine action, making it neutral and informative.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Did you cast your vote in the election yesterday?

Thai: คุณโยนคะแนนโหวตของคุณในการเลือกตั้งเมื่อวานนี้ไหม?

Grammatical Breakdown: "Did you" (auxiliary verb + subject, question form) + "cast" (main verb, past tense) + "your vote" (direct object) + "in the election yesterday" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: This yes/no question inverts the subject-auxiliary order for inquiry. "Cast" adds a sense of urgency, common in civic or decision-making contexts.

Imperative Sentence

English: Cast the line carefully to avoid scaring the fish.

Thai: โยนสายเบ็ดอย่างระมัดระวังเพื่อไม่ให้ปลาตกใจ。

Grammatical Breakdown: "Cast" (imperative verb) + "the line" (direct object) + "carefully" (adverb) + "to avoid" (infinitive phrase for purpose) + "scaring the fish" (gerund phrase).

Structural Analysis: Commands like this omit the subject for directness. "Cast" instructs action, emphasizing caution in recreational settings.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a perfect cast that was—right into the center of the lake!

Thai: ช่างเป็นการโยนที่สมบูรณ์แบบเลย—ตรงกลางของทะเลสาบเลย!

Grammatical Breakdown: "What a perfect cast" (exclamation phrase) + "that was" (verb phrase) + "—right into the center of the lake" (adverbial phrase).

Structural Analysis: Exclamatory structure heightens emotion. "Cast" conveys admiration, making it engaging for storytelling or sports commentary.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: She cast the stone.

Thai: เธอโยนก้อนหิน。

Grammatical Breakdown: "She" (subject) + "cast" (verb, past tense) + "the stone" (direct object).

Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb-object form, easy for beginners. "Cast" is used straightforwardly.

Intermediate Sentence

English: The director cast an experienced actor for the role after several auditions.

Thai: ผู้อำนวยการคัดเลือกนักแสดงที่มีประสบการณ์สำหรับบทบาทหลังจากการออดิชั่นหลายครั้ง。

Grammatical Breakdown: "The director" (subject) + "cast" (verb) + "an experienced actor" (direct object) + "for the role" (prepositional phrase) + "after several auditions" (subordinate clause).

Structural Analysis: Includes a time clause, adding complexity while maintaining clarity. "Cast" shows selection process.

Complex Sentence

English: Although the team had practiced for weeks, they failed to cast the net effectively during the competition, which led to their defeat.

Thai: แม้ว่าทีมจะฝึกซ้อมมาหลายสัปดาห์แล้ว แต่พวกเขาไม่สามารถโยนอวนได้อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพในการแข่งขัน ซึ่งนำไปสู่ความพ่ายแพ้ของพวกเขา。

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although the team had practiced" (subordinate clause, past perfect) + "they failed" (main clause) + "to cast the net effectively" (infinitive phrase) + "during the competition" (prepositional phrase) + "which led to their defeat" (relative clause).

Structural Analysis: Multiple clauses create depth, suitable for advanced contexts. "Cast" integrates into a cause-effect narrative.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Throw – Used interchangeably for physical projection, e.g., in sports or casual actions, but less formal than "cast."
• Select – Applies to choosing roles, as in theater, emphasizing evaluation over action.

Antonyms:

• Retrieve – Opposite of throwing, implying bringing back, e.g., retrieving a cast line in fishing.
• Reject – Contrasts with selecting, as in not casting an actor for a role.

Common Collocations:

• Cast a vote – Used in democratic processes, e.g., "Voters cast their ballots."
• Cast a spell – Common in fantasy contexts, implying magical projection.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

• Cultural Point 1: In Western cultures, particularly in the UK and US, "cast" is deeply tied to theater and film traditions, originating from Shakespearean plays where casting roles was a key element. For instance, in British theater, "casting calls" reflect inclusivity and diversity efforts, symbolizing opportunity and creativity.

Usage Habits:

• Habit 1: "Cast" is frequently used in English-speaking countries for entertainment and sports, with high popularity among young adults in creative fields. It's less common in everyday Thai conversation but appears in translated media; applicable groups include professionals in fishing, acting, or politics.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Cast" primarily functions as a verb (transitive or intransitive) or noun. As a verb, it can be a subject, object, or part of a phrase (e.g., subject in "They cast votes"). As a noun, it acts as a subject or object (e.g., "The cast performed well").

Tense and Voice: "Cast" is irregular: present (cast), past (cast), past participle (cast). In active voice: "She casts the line." In passive: "The line was cast by her." It remains unchanged across tenses, making it simple for learners.

References

Etymology and History:

The word "cast" originates from Old Norse "kasta," meaning to throw, and entered Middle English around the 13th century. It evolved to include metaphorical uses like casting votes (17th century) and theater casting (18th century), reflecting societal shifts toward democracy and arts.

Literary References:

• From William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" (Act 1, Scene 2): "The play's the thing... to cast and to catch the conscience of the king." This highlights "cast" in a theatrical context, symbolizing deception and revelation.
• From Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea": "He cast again and again." Here, "cast" represents perseverance in fishing, a theme of human struggle.