Main Translations

English: configuration

Thai: การกำหนดค่า

Phonetic: gaan gam nerd kwaa

Detailed Explanation: The term "configuration" is a noun that refers to the arrangement, setup, or specific way in which parts of a system, device, or structure are organized. It is commonly used in technical and professional contexts, such as computing, engineering, or software development, where it implies a customizable setup. For instance, in IT, it denotes the settings that define how a program or hardware operates. The word carries a neutral emotional connotation, focusing on functionality and precision, and its semantic nuances include adaptability and optimization. In Thai, "การกำหนดค่า" is the most direct equivalent, emphasizing the act of setting parameters, and it is widely used in modern, technology-driven scenarios.

Thai: รูปร่าง

Phonetic: roop raang

Detailed Explanation: As a secondary translation, "รูปร่าง" highlights the physical or visual arrangement of elements, such as the shape or form of an object. This usage is more general and less technical, often appearing in everyday or artistic contexts. For example, it could describe the layout of a room or the design of a product. Emotionally, it has a neutral to positive connotation, evoking ideas of design and aesthetics. Semantically, it differs from "การกำหนดค่า" by focusing on static forms rather than adjustable settings, making it suitable for non-technical discussions in Thai culture.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "configuration" is versatile and primarily appears in technical, professional, and everyday contexts. It is most commonly used in scenarios involving systems, devices, or structures that require setup or arrangement, such as in business for software and network management, in leisure for personal device settings, and in formal settings for scientific or engineering descriptions. Its usage often implies precision and customization, making it essential in fields like IT, manufacturing, and design. In Thai, translations like "การกำหนดค่า" are prevalent in digital and modern contexts, reflecting Thailand's growing tech industry.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The configuration of the company's server must be optimized for better performance.

Thai: การกำหนดค่าของเซิร์ฟเวอร์บริษัทต้องได้รับการปรับปรุงเพื่อประสิทธิภาพที่ดีขึ้น

Grammatical Breakdown: "The configuration" (subject, noun phrase) refers to the setup; "of the company's server" (prepositional phrase) specifies the object; "must be optimized" (verb phrase in passive voice) indicates necessity; "for better performance" (prepositional phrase) explains the purpose.

Structural Analysis: This is a declarative sentence with a subject-verb-object structure. It uses passive voice to emphasize the action on the server, common in business writing for formality and objectivity.

Leisure Scenario

English: I changed the configuration of my gaming console to improve the graphics.

Thai: ฉันเปลี่ยนการกำหนดค่าของคอนโซลเกมเพื่อปรับปรุงกราฟิก

Grammatical Breakdown: "I changed" (subject and verb in past tense); "the configuration" (direct object, noun); "of my gaming console" (prepositional phrase for specification); "to improve the graphics" (infinitive phrase indicating purpose).

Structural Analysis: This is a simple declarative sentence with an active voice, making it straightforward and conversational, suitable for informal leisure discussions.

Formal Occasion

English: In the meeting, we discussed the configuration of the new prototype design.

Thai: ในที่ประชุม เราพูดคุยเกี่ยวกับการกำหนดค่ารูปร่างของโปรโตไทป์ใหม่

Grammatical Breakdown: "In the meeting" (prepositional phrase, adverbial); "we discussed" (subject and verb); "the configuration" (direct object); "of the new prototype design" (prepositional phrase for detail).

Structural Analysis: A complex declarative sentence that uses a prepositional opener for context, enhancing formality and clarity in professional settings.

Informal Occasion

English: Hey, what's the configuration on your phone? Mine keeps crashing.

Thai: เฮ้ย รูปร่างหรือการตั้งค่าบนโทรศัพท์ของแกเป็นยังไง ของฉันมันค้างตลอดเลย

Grammatical Breakdown: "Hey" (interjection); "what's the configuration" (interrogative clause); "on your phone" (prepositional phrase); "Mine keeps crashing" (independent clause for contrast).

Structural Analysis: This is an interrogative sentence blended with a declarative element, using casual language to foster informal conversation, typical in everyday tech talks.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: The configuration is complete and ready for testing.

Thai: การกำหนดค่าเสร็จสมบูรณ์และพร้อมสำหรับการทดสอบ

Grammatical Breakdown: "The configuration" (subject); "is complete" (verb and predicate adjective); "and ready for testing" (conjunction and prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: A simple declarative sentence that states a fact, ideal for straightforward communication in technical reports.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Have you checked the configuration settings yet?

Thai: คุณตรวจสอบการกำหนดค่ายัง?

Grammatical Breakdown: "Have you checked" (auxiliary verb + subject + main verb); "the configuration settings" (direct object); "yet" (adverb for time).

Structural Analysis: An interrogative sentence using inversion for questions, promoting interaction in problem-solving scenarios.

Imperative Sentence

English: Update the configuration immediately to avoid errors.

Thai: อัปเดตการกำหนดค่าทันทีเพื่อหลีกเลี่ยงข้อผิดพลาด

Grammatical Breakdown: "Update" (imperative verb); "the configuration" (direct object); "immediately" (adverb); "to avoid errors" (infinitive phrase).

Structural Analysis: An imperative sentence that gives a command, often used in urgent, instructional contexts like IT support.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a complex configuration this system has!

Thai: ช่างเป็นการกำหนดค่าที่ซับซ้อนสำหรับระบบนี้เลย!

Grammatical Breakdown: "What a complex configuration" (exclamation phrase); "this system has" (subject and verb).

Structural Analysis: An exclamatory sentence that expresses surprise, enhancing emotional emphasis in discussions about intricate setups.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: The configuration works fine.

Thai: การกำหนดค่าทำงานได้ดี

Grammatical Breakdown: "The configuration" (subject); "works fine" (verb and adverb).

Structural Analysis: A basic subject-verb structure, easy for beginners to understand and use in daily conversations.

Intermediate Sentence

English: After adjusting the configuration, the device runs smoothly.

Thai: หลังจากปรับการกำหนดค่า อุปกรณ์ก็ทำงานได้อย่างราบรื่น

Grammatical Breakdown: "After adjusting" (subordinating conjunction + gerund phrase); "the configuration" (object); "the device runs smoothly" (main clause).

Structural Analysis: A compound sentence with a dependent clause, suitable for intermediate learners to show cause and effect.

Complex Sentence

English: Although the initial configuration was flawed, the team revised it to meet the project deadlines.

Thai: แม้ว่าการกำหนดค่าเริ่มต้นจะมีข้อบกพร่อง แต่ทีมงานได้แก้ไขมันเพื่อให้ทันกำหนดการโครงการ

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although the initial configuration was flawed" (subordinate clause); "the team revised it" (main clause); "to meet the project deadlines" (infinitive phrase).

Structural Analysis: A complex sentence with subordination, demonstrating advanced usage in professional narratives.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

Setup – Often used interchangeably with configuration in computing contexts; it refers to the initial arrangement of a system (e.g., "software setup").

Arrangement – A near synonym emphasizing organization, commonly in design or physical layouts (e.g., "room arrangement").

Antonyms:

Disarray – The opposite of configuration, implying chaos or lack of order (e.g., "The files were in disarray after the crash").

Default – Refers to standard settings without customization, contrasting with a tailored configuration (e.g., "Reset to default settings").

Common Collocations:

System configuration – Used in IT to describe the overall setup of hardware and software (e.g., "Check the system configuration before installing updates").

Network configuration – Refers to the arrangement of network components, popular in business security (e.g., "Secure the network configuration against cyber threats").

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

Cultural Point 1: In Thai culture, words like "การกำหนดค่า" reflect the influence of globalization and technology adoption, especially with the rise of digital platforms in Thailand. For instance, during events like the Thailand 4.0 initiative, configuration is tied to innovation and efficiency, symbolizing modern progress while maintaining traditional values of harmony and precision in arrangements.

Usage Habits:

Habit 1: "Configuration" and its Thai equivalents are frequently used in urban, tech-savvy groups such as young professionals and students, with high popularity in online forums and social media. It is less common in rural areas but is gaining traction due to smartphone penetration, appearing daily in contexts like app settings or device troubleshooting.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Configuration" functions primarily as a noun, serving as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase in sentences. For example, it can be the subject in "Configuration is key" or the object in "Adjust the configuration."

Tense and Voice: As a noun, "configuration" does not change with tense but can appear in verb-related contexts through associated verbs like "configure" (verb form). In passive voice, sentences like "The configuration was updated" show past tense usage, while active voice examples include "We configured the system."

References

Etymology and History:

The word "configuration" originates from the Latin "configuratio," meaning "a shaping or forming," derived from "con-" (together) and "figurare" (to form). It evolved in English during the 16th century, initially in scientific contexts, and gained prominence in the 20th century with advancements in technology and computing. In Thai, modern translations like "การกำหนดค่า" emerged with Western influences in the late 20th century.

Literary References:

In literature, "configuration" appears in scientific fiction, such as in Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" series: "The configuration of the stars held the key to the empire's fate" (from "Foundation and Empire," 1952), illustrating its use in cosmic arrangements. In Thai literature, it is referenced in contemporary works like "The Configuration of Dreams" by modern authors, symbolizing personal setups in psychological narratives.