Main Translations

English: conduct

This word can function as a verb (to organize, lead, or behave) or a noun (behavior or the act of managing). It is commonly used in formal, professional, and everyday contexts.

Thai: ดำเนิน (dam-neun)

Phonetic: dam-neun (pronounced with a rising tone on the first syllable, emphasizing the 'dam' sound like "dahm").

Detailed Explanation: This primary translation is used as a verb to mean "to carry out, manage, or proceed with an activity," such as conducting a meeting or experiment. It carries a neutral to positive connotation, often implying efficiency and responsibility. In usage scenarios, it appears in formal or professional settings, like business or education, where emotional nuances emphasize reliability and order. For example, it highlights cultural values of discipline in Thai society.

Thai: ประพฤติ (bprap-ruehd)

Phonetic: bprap-ruehd (pronounced with a mid-tone, where "bprap" sounds like "prahp" and "ruehd" like "root").

Detailed Explanation: This secondary translation is used as a verb or noun to refer to "behavior, conduct, or manner of acting." It can have positive connotations (e.g., good conduct) or negative ones (e.g., misconduct), depending on context. Semantically, it often involves moral or ethical nuances, such as in personal or social interactions. In Thai culture, it is tied to emotional aspects like respect and propriety, making it common in discussions of etiquette or social norms.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

"Conduct" is a versatile word primarily used in professional, social, and personal contexts. As a verb, it refers to organizing or leading activities (e.g., conducting a survey), while as a noun, it describes behavior (e.g., ethical conduct). Common scenarios include business meetings, where it implies management; leisure activities, where it relates to personal behavior; formal occasions like ceremonies; and informal settings like daily interactions. Its usage often carries connotations of responsibility, morality, and efficiency, making it essential in both English and Thai communication for discussing actions and ethics.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The manager will conduct the quarterly meeting to discuss sales strategies.

Thai: ผู้จัดการจะดำเนินการประชุมรายไตรมาสเพื่อหารือเกี่ยวกับกลยุทธ์การขาย (Phu-cha-na ja dam-neun gaan bpra-chum rai-dtri-maat pheua ha-rueh wee-la gaan gluay-yut gaan khai).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The manager" (subject, noun phrase) + "will conduct" (future tense verb, indicating action) + "the quarterly meeting" (direct object, noun phrase) + "to discuss sales strategies" (infinitive phrase, purpose clause).

Structural Analysis: This sentence follows a subject-verb-object structure, common in business English. The verb "conduct" is transitive here, linking the subject to the action and object, emphasizing proactive management. In Thai, the structure is similar but uses serial verb construction for fluidity.

Leisure Scenario

English: She decided to conduct a yoga session in the park for her friends.

Thai: เธอตัดสินใจดำเนินการเซสชั่นโยคะในสวนเพื่อเพื่อนของเธอ (Ther dtat-sin jai dam-neun gaan ses-chan yoga nai suan pheua pheuan khong ther).

Grammatical Breakdown: "She" (subject, pronoun) + "decided to conduct" (verb phrase in past tense with infinitive) + "a yoga session" (direct object) + "in the park for her friends" (prepositional phrases, indicating location and beneficiary).

Structural Analysis: The sentence uses a complex structure with an embedded infinitive clause, showing intention. "Conduct" as a verb highlights informal leadership, while in Thai, it maintains a casual tone through contextual word order.

Formal Occasion

English: The orchestra conductor will conduct the symphony with great precision.

Thai: ผู้นำวงออร์เคสตร้าจะดำเนินการซิมโฟนีด้วยความแม่นยำสูง (Phu-nam wang orchestra ja dam-neun gaan symphony duay khwam maen-yam soong).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The orchestra conductor" (subject, noun phrase) + "will conduct" (future tense verb) + "the symphony" (direct object) + "with great precision" (prepositional phrase, adverbial modifier).

Structural Analysis: This declarative sentence employs a formal tone with "conduct" as a transitive verb, emphasizing expertise. In Thai, the structure prioritizes the subject and action for clarity in ceremonial contexts.

Informal Occasion

English: Let's conduct a quick game night at home to relax.

Thai: มาดำเนินการเล่นเกมส์ยามค่ำคืนที่บ้านเพื่อผ่อนคลายกันเถอะ (Ma dam-neun gaan len game yam kham kheun thi baan pheua phlon khlaai gan ther).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Let's" (imperative subject) + "conduct" (verb) + "a quick game night" (object) + "at home to relax" (prepositional and infinitive phrases).

Structural Analysis: As an imperative sentence, it invites action casually. "Conduct" adds a light-hearted organizational element, and Thai translation uses imperative particles for friendliness.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: The teacher conducts classes effectively every day.

Thai: ครูดำเนินการสอนชั้นเรียนอย่างมีประสิทธิภาพทุกวัน (Kru dam-neun gaan sawn chahn rian yang mee bprat-thi-thi-phap took wan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The teacher" (subject) + "conducts" (present tense verb) + "classes effectively" (object and adverb) + "every day" (adverbial phrase).

Structural Analysis: This simple declarative structure states a fact, with "conducts" as the main verb in active voice.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Will you conduct the interview tomorrow?

Thai: คุณจะดำเนินการสัมภาษณ์พรุ่งนี้ไหม (Khun ja dam-neun gaan sam-phat pheun ni mai?).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Will you" (auxiliary verb + subject) + "conduct" (main verb) + "the interview tomorrow" (object + time adverb).

Structural Analysis: The question inverts the subject-auxiliary order, using "conduct" to inquire about future action, common in professional dialogues.

Imperative Sentence

English: Conduct yourself with respect during the event.

Thai: ประพฤติตัวด้วยความเคารพระหว่างงาน (Bprap-ruehd dtua duay khwam khao-rbp rawang ngan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Conduct yourself" (imperative verb + reflexive object) + "with respect" (prepositional phrase) + "during the event" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: This commands behavior, with "conduct" in reflexive form for emphasis on personal ethics.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What excellent conduct you displayed in that situation!

Thai: ช่างเป็นการประพฤติที่ยอดเยี่ยมในสถานการณ์นั้น! (Chang pen gaan bprap-ruehd thi yot-yiam nai sa-tha-na-kan nan!).

Grammatical Breakdown: "What excellent conduct" (exclamatory phrase) + "you displayed" (subject + verb) + "in that situation" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: The exclamation highlights praise, with "conduct" as a noun for emotional impact.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: He conducts experiments in the lab.

Thai: เขาดำเนินการทดลองในห้องแล็บ (Khao dam-neun gaan dtod-long nai hong laeb).

Grammatical Breakdown: "He" (subject) + "conducts" (verb) + "experiments in the lab" (object + prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb-object structure, ideal for beginners.

Intermediate Sentence

English: Although she is busy, she always conducts her duties with care.

Thai: แม้เธอจะยุ่งแต่เธอก็มักดำเนินหน้าที่ด้วยความระมัดระวัง (Mae ther ja yung tae ther gorm mak dam-neun naa thi duay khwam ra-mat ra-wang).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although she is busy" (subordinate clause) + "she always conducts" (main clause verb) + "her duties with care" (object + prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Includes a concessive clause, adding complexity while maintaining clear verb usage.

Complex Sentence

English: If we conduct the research properly, it will lead to significant improvements in the industry.

Thai: ถ้าเราดำเนินการวิจัยอย่างถูกต้อง มันจะนำไปสู่การพัฒนาที่สำคัญในอุตสาหกรรม (Taa rao dam-neun gaan wi-jaay yang took-tong, man ja nam pai suu gaan phat-tha-na thi sam-kan nai ut-sa-hak-kam).

Grammatical Breakdown: "If we conduct the research properly" (conditional clause) + "it will lead" (main clause) + "to significant improvements in the industry" (infinitive phrase).

Structural Analysis: Features a conditional structure with dependent clauses, showcasing "conduct" in a hypothetical context.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Manage – Used similarly to conduct in organizing tasks, often in business contexts (e.g., "manage a project").
• Behave – Refers to personal conduct, with emotional nuances of morality (e.g., "behave well in public").

Antonyms:

• Misconduct – Implies improper behavior, contrasting with ethical conduct (e.g., "workplace misconduct").
• Neglect – Opposite of conducting activities, suggesting failure to manage (e.g., "neglect of duties").

Common Collocations:

• Code of conduct – A set of rules for behavior, often in professional settings (e.g., "Follow the company's code of conduct").
• Conduct research – Refers to systematically carrying out studies (e.g., "Scientists conduct research on climate change").

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

• Cultural Point 1: In Thai culture, conduct is deeply influenced by Buddhist principles and social hierarchy, emphasizing "kreng jai" (consideration for others). For instance, "prap-ruehd" (conduct) is often linked to maintaining harmony in relationships, reflecting values of respect and non-confrontation in daily interactions.

Usage Habits:

• Habit 1: "Conduct" and its Thai equivalents are frequently used in formal education and corporate environments, popular among professionals and students. It is less common in casual conversations but appears often in media and official documents, with high frequency in urban areas due to globalization.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function:

"Conduct" primarily functions as a transitive verb (e.g., "conduct a meeting," where it takes a direct object) or an intransitive verb (e.g., "conduct oneself," referring to behavior). As a noun, it acts as a subject, object, or complement (e.g., "His conduct was exemplary").

Tense and Voice:

In different tenses, it changes as: present (conduct), past (conducted), future (will conduct), and progressive (is conducting). In passive voice, it becomes "is conducted" (e.g., "The experiment is conducted annually"), shifting focus from the doer to the action.

References

Etymology and History:

The word "conduct" originates from the Latin "conductus," meaning "to lead or guide," evolving through Old French "conduire" in the 14th century. Historically, it gained prominence in English during the Renaissance for describing leadership and behavior, adapting to modern contexts like science and ethics.

Literary References:

• From William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" (Act 1, Scene 3): "This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." Here, "conduct" is implied in themes of personal behavior, sourced from the First Folio (1623).
• In modern literature, from George Orwell's "1984": "The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." This reflects conduct in a dystopian society, emphasizing control and ethics.