BaanWords

constellation

กลุ่มดาว - Thai translation

Main Translations

  • English: Constellation
  • Thai: กลุ่มดาว (Klum dao)
  • Phonetic: Glùm dâao (pronounced with a rising tone on "glùm" and a mid tone on "dâao")
  • Detailed Explanation: In English, "constellation" refers to a group of stars that form a recognizable pattern in the night sky, often associated with mythology, navigation, or astronomy. It carries a sense of wonder and cultural significance, evoking emotional connotations of mystery, exploration, and interconnectedness. Usage scenarios include scientific discussions (e.g., in astronomy), metaphorical contexts (e.g., "a constellation of ideas"), and casual conversations about stargazing. Semantic nuances highlight its literal astronomical meaning versus figurative uses, such as grouping elements in business or art.
  • Thai: จักรราศี (Chak kra see)
  • Phonetic: Chák krà sěe (pronounced with a rising tone on "chák" and a falling tone on "sěe")
  • Detailed Explanation: In Thai, "จักรราศี" is a secondary translation often used specifically for zodiac constellations, drawing from astrological traditions. It implies a cyclical or predictive element, with emotional connotations tied to fate, personality traits, and Thai cultural beliefs in horoscopes. Usage scenarios include astrology readings, cultural festivals, or informal chats about daily life. Semantic nuances differentiate it from "กลุ่มดาว" by emphasizing astrological implications rather than pure astronomy, making it more common in personal or spiritual contexts.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "constellation" is primarily used in astronomical, metaphorical, and cultural contexts. In everyday scenarios, it appears in scientific education, casual stargazing, business metaphors (e.g., grouping talents), and astrological discussions. Its versatility allows for both literal references to star patterns and figurative expressions, such as describing networks or collections. In Thai, "กลุ่มดาว" is more neutral and common in educational or leisure settings, while "จักรราศี" leans toward personal or traditional uses, reflecting its integration into Thai folklore and modern pop culture.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

  • Business Scenario
    • English: The company formed a constellation of innovative startups to drive market growth.
    • Thai: บริษัทก่อตั้งกลุ่มดาวของสตาร์ทอัพที่สร้างสรรค์เพื่อขับเคลื่อนการเติบโตของตลาด (Brik-sa-ni gor dtâng glùm dâao khǎawng sà-tâat-úp tîi sàt sîn khreung pêuad kàp keun lûng gaan dteub toh khǎawng dtà-làat).
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "The company" (subject, noun phrase) + "formed" (verb, past tense) + "a constellation" (direct object, noun) + "of innovative startups" (prepositional phrase modifying object) + "to drive market growth" (infinitive phrase indicating purpose).
    • Structural Analysis: This sentence uses a simple subject-verb-object structure with a metaphorical extension of "constellation" to represent a network. In Thai, the structure follows a subject-verb-object pattern with embedded modifiers, making it formal and professional for business contexts.
  • Leisure Scenario
    • English: During our camping trip, we identified the constellation Orion in the clear night sky.
    • Thai: ระหว่างทริปแคมป์ปิ้งของเรา เราสังเกตเห็นกลุ่มดาวโอไรออนในท้องฟ้ายามค่ำคืนที่ชัดเจน (Bàai nai-an trihp khaem-pîng khǎawng rao, rao sǎng-gèt hěn glùm dâao O-rai-on nai tông fai yam khâo khreun tîi châd jeen).
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "During our camping trip" (prepositional phrase, adverbial) + "we" (subject, pronoun) + "identified" (verb, past tense) + "the constellation Orion" (direct object, noun phrase) + "in the clear night sky" (prepositional phrase, locative).
    • Structural Analysis: The sentence employs a temporal clause for context, with "constellation" used literally. In Thai, it maintains a straightforward structure, ideal for casual, descriptive leisure conversations, emphasizing visual and experiential elements.
  • Formal Occasion
    • English: In her lecture, the astronomer discussed the historical significance of the constellation Ursa Major.
    • Thai: ในคำบรรยายของเธอ นักดาราศาสตร์ได้พูดถึงความสำคัญทางประวัติศาสตร์ของกลุ่มดาวยูร์ซาเมเจอร์ (Nai kham ban-yaai khǎawng ter, nák daa raa sàat dâai phûut tẽung khwaam sǎm-kan thaang bprà-wàt-sàt khǎawng glùm dâao Yursa Mejer).
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "In her lecture" (prepositional phrase) + "the astronomer" (subject) + "discussed" (verb, past tense) + "the historical significance" (direct object) + "of the constellation Ursa Major" (prepositional phrase modifying object).
    • Structural Analysis: This formal sentence uses complex noun phrases for precision, with "constellation" in an educational context. Thai translation mirrors this with polite language, suitable for academic settings, highlighting historical nuances.
  • Informal Occasion
    • English: Hey, do you know that constellation we saw last night? It looked amazing!
    • Thai: เฮ้ย รู้ไหมกลุ่มดาวที่เราเห็นเมื่อคืน มันดูน่าอัศจรรย์เลย! (Hěy, róo mái glùm dâao tîi rao hěn mêu kheun, man duu nâa àt-jà-ry lèaw!)
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "Hey" (interjection) + "do you know" (interrogative verb phrase) + "that constellation" (object, noun phrase) + "we saw last night" (relative clause) + "It looked amazing" (declarative clause).
    • Structural Analysis: The sentence combines interrogative and exclamatory elements for informality, with "constellation" used casually. In Thai, slang and exclamations make it conversational, perfect for friends discussing hobbies.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

  • Declarative Sentence
    • English: The constellation Gemini represents the twins in Greek mythology.
    • Thai: กลุ่มดาวเจมินีแทนความหมายของฝาแฝดในตำนานกรีก (Glùm dâao Je-mi-nee dtàen khwaam man khǎawng fáa-fàed nai dtam-naan Greek).
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "The constellation Gemini" (subject) + "represents" (verb) + "the twins" (object) + "in Greek mythology" (prepositional phrase).
    • Structural Analysis: A straightforward declarative structure for factual statements, allowing "constellation" to convey cultural info.
  • Interrogative Sentence
    • English: Have you ever seen the constellation Cassiopeia in the northern sky?
    • Thai: คุณเคยเห็นกลุ่มดาวคาสสิโอเปียในท้องฟ้าย่านเหนือไหม? (Khun kîe hěn glùm dâao Kas-si-o-peia nai tông fai yaan nêua mái?)
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "Have you ever seen" (interrogative verb phrase) + "the constellation Cassiopeia" (object) + "in the northern sky" (prepositional phrase).
    • Structural Analysis: Question word order engages the listener, using "constellation" inquisitively.
  • Imperative Sentence
    • English: Look up at the sky and find the constellation Draco tonight.
    • Thai: เงยหน้ามองท้องฟ้าและค้นหากลุ่มดาวดราโกคืนนี้ (Ngeoy nâa mông tông fai láe khun hà glùm dâao Dra-go kheun níi).
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "Look up" (imperative verb) + "at the sky" (prepositional phrase) + "and find" (conjunction + verb) + "the constellation Draco" (object) + "tonight" (adverbial).
    • Structural Analysis: Commands encourage action, with "constellation" as the focus.
  • Exclamatory Sentence
    • English: What a beautiful constellation that is shining above us!
    • Thai: ช่างเป็นกลุ่มดาวที่สวยงามที่ส่องแสงอยู่เหนือเรา! (Châang bpen glùm dâao tîi sǔay ngaam tîi sòng sǎang yùu nêua rao!)
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "What a beautiful constellation" (exclamatory phrase) + "that is shining" (relative clause) + "above us" (prepositional phrase).
    • Structural Analysis: Exclamation heightens emotion, emphasizing "constellation" visually.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

  • Simple Sentence
    • English: I see a constellation.
    • Thai: ฉันเห็นกลุ่มดาว (Chăn hěn glùm dâao).
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "I" (subject) + "see" (verb) + "a constellation" (object).
    • Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb-object for beginners.
  • Intermediate Sentence
    • English: The constellation appears brighter during winter nights.
    • Thai: กลุ่มดาวปรากฏชัดเจนขึ้นในคืนฤดูหนาว (Glùm dâao bpà-ràk-dtòt châd jeen kheun nai kheun reu duu nǎao).
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "The constellation" (subject) + "appears" (verb) + "brighter" (adjective) + "during winter nights" (prepositional phrase).
    • Structural Analysis: Adds descriptive elements for intermediate learners.
  • Complex Sentence
    • English: Although the constellation is faint, it holds great mythological importance in ancient stories.
    • Thai: แม้ว่ากลุ่มดาวจะเลือนราง แต่ก็มีความสำคัญทางเทพนิยายในเรื่องราวโบราณ (Mâe wâa glùm dâao jà leuan rǎang, tàe gòh mee khwaam sǎm-kan thaang tep ni yaa nai rûang rǎao bo raan).
    • Grammatical Breakdown: "Although the constellation is faint" (subordinate clause) + "it holds" (main clause verb) + "great mythological importance" (object) + "in ancient stories" (prepositional phrase).
    • Structural Analysis: Uses conjunctions for complexity, ideal for advanced contexts.

Related Phrases and Expressions

  • Synonyms/Near Synonyms:
    • Star pattern – Used interchangeably in astronomical contexts to describe visible star arrangements, often in educational or casual settings.
    • Asterism – A less formal term for a prominent star group, like the Big Dipper, with similar metaphorical uses in creative writing.
  • Antonyms:
    • Single star – Refers to an isolated celestial body, contrasting with the grouped nature of a constellation, emphasizing individuality over patterns.
    • Nebula – A diffuse cloud of gas and dust, highlighting chaos over the organized form of constellations.
  • Common Collocations:
    • Zodiac constellation – Often used in astrological contexts, as in "Zodiac constellation influences personality traits."
    • Constellation map – Refers to charts for navigation, e.g., "A constellation map helps stargazers locate stars."

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

  • Cultural Background:
    • Cultural Point 1: In Western cultures, constellations like Orion or the Big Dipper are rooted in Greek mythology, symbolizing heroes and gods, which influences modern astronomy and pop culture (e.g., in films like "The Lion King"). In Thai culture, constellations tie into Buddhist and Hindu influences, such as the zodiac in Songkran festivals, where "จักรราศี" predicts fortunes, blending ancient beliefs with contemporary life.
  • Usage Habits:
    • Habit 1: "กลุ่มดาว" is frequently used in everyday Thai conversations among younger generations for stargazing apps or social media, while "จักรราศี" is popular in astrological communities, especially among adults for fortune-telling. It's more common in urban areas due to light pollution reducing actual stargazing, with high frequency in educational content for SEO-driven platforms.

Grammar Explanation

  • Grammatical Function: "Constellation" functions as a countable noun, serving as a subject (e.g., "The constellation shines brightly"), object (e.g., "We observed the constellation"), or part of a prepositional phrase (e.g., "in the constellation"). In Thai, it behaves similarly as a noun in phrases like "กลุ่มดาว...".
  • Tense and Voice: As a noun, "constellation" doesn't change with tense but appears in various verb tenses (e.g., "The constellation was visible" in past tense). In passive voice, it can be: "The constellation was studied by astronomers." Thai equivalents maintain similar structures without inflection.

References

  • Etymology and History: The word "constellation" originates from Latin "constellatio," meaning "set with stars," evolving from ancient Babylonian and Greek astronomy. In Thai, "กลุ่มดาว" derives from "กลุ่ม" (group) and "ดาว" (star), influenced by Sanskrit through cultural exchanges, with modern usage popularized by global education.
  • Literary References: In Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," Act 1, Scene 3: "The skies are painted with unnumbered sparks, / They are all fire and every one doth shine," alluding to constellations metaphorically. In Thai literature, such as in the epic "Phra Aphai Mani" by Sunthorn Phu, stars and constellations symbolize fate, reflecting similar themes.