Main Translations

English: Concord

Thai: ความสามัคคี (kwam samakki)

Phonetic: kwam samakki (pronounced as "kwam sa-mak-kee")

Detailed Explanation: "Concord" as a noun refers to a state of agreement, harmony, or peaceful coexistence between individuals, groups, or nations. It carries positive emotional connotations of unity and cooperation, often used in formal or diplomatic contexts. For instance, in everyday usage, it highlights semantic nuances like resolving conflicts or fostering teamwork. In Thai culture, "kwam samakki" emphasizes collective harmony, which is a core value in social and community settings, such as family gatherings or national events.

Thai: ความตกลง (kwam dtok long)

Phonetic: kwam dtok long (pronounced as "kwam dtok lawng")

Detailed Explanation: This secondary translation focuses on "concord" in the sense of a formal agreement or treaty, such as in legal or business contexts. It conveys a sense of mutual understanding and commitment, with emotional connotations of stability and trust. Semantically, it nuances the idea of negotiated peace, which is common in international relations. In Thai, "kwam dtok long" is often used in professional scenarios, reflecting cultural values of consensus-building in hierarchical societies.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

"Concord" is primarily used as a noun to describe harmony, agreement, or unity in various contexts, such as diplomacy, business negotiations, social interactions, and cultural events. It appears in formal writing, speeches, and discussions where emphasizing peaceful relations is key. In Thai, translations like "kwam samakki" or "kwam dtok long" are versatile, appearing in everyday conversations, legal documents, and media, making it a word that promotes positive social dynamics.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The two companies finally reached a concord on the merger terms to ensure mutual growth.

Thai: บริษัททั้งสองตกลงความสามัคคีกันในเรื่องเงื่อนไขการควบรวมเพื่อการเติบโตร่วมกัน (baang rit tang song dtok long kwam samakki gan nai reuang ngoon jai gaan kweb ruam pheua gaan dtib dto rawm gan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The two companies" (subject, noun phrase) + "finally reached" (verb phrase in past tense) + "a concord" (direct object, noun) + "on the merger terms" (prepositional phrase) + "to ensure mutual growth" (infinitive phrase for purpose).

Structural Analysis: This declarative sentence follows a subject-verb-object structure, common in business English. The word "concord" functions as a key noun, emphasizing agreement, and its placement highlights the outcome of negotiations.

Leisure Scenario

English: During the family reunion, we experienced a sense of concord that strengthened our bonds.

Thai: ในงานรวมญาติ เรารู้สึกถึงความสามัคคีที่ช่วยเสริมสร้างความผูกพัน (nai ngan ruam ya ti, rao ruu seuk teung kwam samakki thi chuua serm sang kwam phuk pan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "During the family reunion" (prepositional phrase, adverbial) + "we experienced" (subject-verb) + "a sense of concord" (object, noun phrase) + "that strengthened our bonds" (relative clause).

Structural Analysis: This sentence uses a complex structure to show cause and effect, with "concord" as the central noun conveying emotional harmony. In Thai, the structure mirrors English for clarity in casual contexts.

Formal Occasion

English: The leaders signed a concord to promote international peace and cooperation.

Thai: ผู้นำได้ลงนามในความตกลงเพื่อส่งเสริมสันติภาพและความร่วมมือระหว่างประเทศ (phu nuam dai long nam nai kwam dtok long pheua song serm san ti phim lae kwam ruam muea rawaang bprathet).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The leaders" (subject) + "signed" (verb, past tense) + "a concord" (object) + "to promote" (infinitive phrase) + "international peace and cooperation" (object complements).

Structural Analysis: A simple yet formal sentence structure, where "concord" acts as the direct object, underscoring diplomatic intent. The Thai version maintains a parallel structure for official use.

Informal Occasion

English: Let's aim for concord in our group project so we can all have fun working together.

Thai: มาพยายามสร้างความสามัคคีในโปรเจกต์กลุ่มของเรากันเถอะ เพื่อให้ทุกคนสนุกกับการทำงานร่วมกัน (ma pha yaa yam saang kwam samakki nai pro jek klum khong rao gan thao, pheua hai took kon sanuk gap gaan tam ngan ruam gan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Let's aim" (imperative verb phrase) + "for concord" (prepositional phrase) + "in our group project" (adverbial phrase) + "so we can all have fun" (subordinate clause).

Structural Analysis: This imperative sentence encourages action, with "concord" as a motivational noun. In Thai, the informal tone is achieved through particles like "เถอะ" (thao), making it conversational.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: True concord among friends leads to lasting relationships.

Thai: ความสามัคคีที่แท้จริงระหว่างเพื่อนนำไปสู่ความสัมพันธ์ที่ยั่งยืน (kwam samakki thi dtae jing rawaang pheuan nam pai suu kwam sam pan thi yang yuen).

Grammatical Breakdown: "True concord" (subject) + "among friends" (prepositional phrase) + "leads to" (verb) + "lasting relationships" (object).

Structural Analysis: A straightforward declarative structure, where "concord" is the subject, ideal for educational or reflective contexts.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Can we achieve concord in this debate without compromising our views?

Thai: เราจะบรรลุความสามัคคีในการถกเถียงนี้ได้โดยไม่ประนีประนอมความคิดเห็นของเราหรือ? (rao ja ban lu kwam samakki nai gaan thok thiang ni dai doi mai bprani bpranom kwam khit hen khong rao rue?)

Grammatical Breakdown: "Can we achieve" (inverted subject-verb for question) + "concord" (object) + "in this debate" (prepositional phrase) + "without compromising" (subordinate clause).

Structural Analysis: This question form engages the audience, with "concord" as the focal point, testing possibilities in discussions.

Imperative Sentence

English: Strive for concord in your community to build a better future.

Thai: พยายามสร้างความสามัคคีในชุมชนของคุณเพื่อสร้างอนาคตที่ดีกว่า (pha yaa yam saang kwam samakki nai chum chon khong khun pheua saang a naa khot thi dee kwa).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Strive for" (imperative verb) + "concord" (object) + "in your community" (prepositional phrase) + "to build" (infinitive clause).

Structural Analysis: Commands like this use "concord" to inspire action, common in motivational speeches.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a wonderful sense of concord we felt at the peace rally!

Thai: ช่างเป็นความสามัคคีที่น่าอัศจรรย์ที่เรารู้สึกในงานรณรงค์สันติภาพ! (chang pen kwam samakki thi naa at chan rai thi rao ruu seuk nai ngan ran rawng san ti phim!)

Grammatical Breakdown: "What a wonderful sense" (exclamation starter) + "of concord" (noun phrase) + "we felt" (verb phrase) + "at the peace rally" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Exclamatory structure amplifies emotion, with "concord" evoking positivity in social events.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: We need concord now.

Thai: เราต้องการความสามัคคีตอนนี้ (rao dtong gaan kwam samakki dtawn nee).

Grammatical Breakdown: "We need" (subject-verb) + "concord" (object) + "now" (adverb).

Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb-object structure, easy for beginners, focusing on "concord" as a direct need.

Intermediate Sentence

English: Achieving concord requires open communication and trust.

Thai: การบรรลุความสามัคคีต้องอาศัยการสื่อสารที่เปิดเผยและความเชื่อถือ (gaan ban lu kwam samakki dtong aa sai gaan seu saan thi bpai pheuy lae kwam cheua thue).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Achieving concord" (gerund phrase as subject) + "requires" (verb) + "open communication and trust" (objects).

Structural Analysis: This builds on simple sentences with compound objects, showing "concord" in a practical context.

Complex Sentence

English: Although disagreements arose, the team eventually found concord, which allowed them to complete the project successfully.

Thai: แม้จะมีความไม่ลงรอยเกิดขึ้น แต่ทีมงานก็สามารถหาความสามัคคีได้ในที่สุด ซึ่งช่วยให้พวกเขาสำเร็จโครงการอย่างราบรื่น (mae ja mee kwam mai long roi geert kheun, tae tim ngan ga sa maad ha kwam samakki dai nai thi sut, teung chuua hai phueak khao sam ret pro jek yang raap reurn).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although disagreements arose" (subordinate clause) + "the team eventually found concord" (main clause) + "which allowed them" (relative clause) + "to complete the project successfully" (infinitive phrase).

Structural Analysis: Multiple clauses provide depth, with "concord" as the turning point, suitable for advanced learners.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

Harmony – Often used interchangeably with "concord" to denote peaceful agreement, especially in social or musical contexts (e.g., "racial harmony").

Accord – Similar to "concord," it implies mutual consent, commonly in treaties or pacts (e.g., "Paris Accord").

Antonyms:

Discord – The opposite of "concord," referring to conflict or disagreement, often used in emotional or relational contexts (e.g., "family discord").

Disagreement – Highlights opposition, contrasting with the unity of "concord" in debates or negotiations (e.g., "political disagreement").

Common Collocations:

Reach a concord – Used in formal settings to mean achieving agreement, as in business deals (e.g., "They reached a concord after hours of discussion").

Promote concord – Encourages fostering harmony, common in community or educational contexts (e.g., "Schools promote concord among students").

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

Cultural Point 1: In Western cultures, "concord" draws from historical treaties like the Concord of 1783, symbolizing peace and diplomacy, which influences its use in literature and politics. In Thai culture, it aligns with Buddhist principles of "sangha" (community harmony), where "kwam samakki" is emphasized in festivals like Songkran, promoting unity and forgiveness.

Usage Habits:

Habit 1: "Concord" and its Thai equivalents are frequently used in formal and educational settings, such as speeches or media, by professionals and educators. It is popular in Thailand among younger generations for promoting social media campaigns on unity, though less common in everyday casual talk due to its formal tone.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Concord" primarily functions as a noun, serving as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase in sentences. For example, as a subject: "Concord is essential." As an object: "They sought concord."

Tense and Voice: As a noun, "concord" does not change with tense but can appear in various verb tenses through associated actions (e.g., "We achieved concord" in past tense). In active voice, it emphasizes the actors (e.g., "Nations build concord"), while passive voice might downplay them (e.g., "Concord was established by the leaders").

References

Etymology and History:

The word "concord" originates from Latin "concordia," meaning "agreement" or "harmony," derived from "con-" (together) and "cor" (heart). It evolved through Old French into Middle English around the 14th century, often used in legal and diplomatic contexts. In Thai, related terms like "kwam samakki" stem from Pali influences in Buddhism, evolving to represent modern social harmony.

Literary References:

In Shakespeare's "Henry V," the line "This happy breed of men, this little world, this precious stone set in the silver sea... this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England" indirectly references concord as national unity. In Thai literature, such as in the works of Sunthorn Phu, themes of "kwam samakki" appear in poems promoting community bonds, sourced from "Phra Aphai Mani."