Main Translations

English: Cunning

Thai: ฉลาดแกมโกง (Chà-lâad gam-gong)

Detailed Explanation: The word "cunning" in English refers to cleverness or skill in achieving one's goals, often through deceit, manipulation, or evasion. It carries a predominantly negative connotation, implying slyness or craftiness that borders on dishonesty. For instance, in SEO-optimized contexts like "cunning meaning in business," it might describe a strategic but unethical tactic. In Thai, "ฉลาดแกมโกง" emphasizes intelligence mixed with trickery, commonly used in scenarios involving interpersonal dynamics, such as negotiations or games. Emotionally, it evokes suspicion and wariness, with semantic nuances highlighting resourcefulness that can be admired or condemned depending on the context.

Thai: เจ้าเล่ห์ (Jâo lěe)

Phonetic: Jâo lěe

Detailed Explanation: As a secondary translation, "เจ้าเล่ห์" conveys a similar idea of being cunning but with a stronger emphasis on playfulness or habitual trickery, often in a less severe tone than "ฉลาดแกมโกง." This term is frequently used in Thai culture for characters in folktales or everyday anecdotes, such as a clever animal in stories. SEO keywords like "cunning in Thai culture" align with its usage, where it might imply endearing cleverness in informal settings. Emotionally, it can be neutral or slightly positive if the trickery is harmless, with nuances that differentiate it from outright malice, making it ideal for describing witty but deceptive behaviors in social interactions.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "cunning" is versatile and appears in various contexts, such as business dealings, leisure activities, formal discussions, and informal conversations. A brief summary of its main usage scenarios includes: in business, it often describes strategic deception; in leisure, it refers to clever tactics in games or sports; in formal occasions, it's used critically in ethical debates; and in informal settings, it highlights everyday cleverness. For SEO purposes, understanding "cunning meaning" in these scenarios helps in content like language learning or cultural analysis, where the word's negative undertones are balanced by its portrayal of intelligence.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The cunning executive used hidden strategies to outmaneuver his rivals in the competitive market.

Thai: ผู้บริหารที่ฉลาดแกมโกงใช้กลยุทธ์ลับเพื่อเอาชนะคู่แข่งในตลาดที่ดุเดือด (Pûu bò-rian têe chà-lâad gam-gong chái glà-yùt lûp pêua ào chà-ná kùu-khɛ̂ng nai dtà-làat têe dù-deùet).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The cunning executive" (subject) is an adjective-noun phrase where "cunning" modifies "executive." "Used hidden strategies" is the main verb phrase in past tense, with "hidden" as an adjective. "To outmaneuver his rivals" is an infinitive phrase acting as the purpose.

Structural Analysis: This is a complex sentence with a subject-verb-object structure, enhanced by a subordinate clause for purpose. In SEO contexts like "cunning meaning in business," this illustrates how the word adds a layer of intrigue to professional narratives.

Leisure Scenario

English: During the board game, her cunning moves left everyone surprised and defeated.

Thai: ระหว่างเล่นเกมกระดาน การเคลื่อนไหวที่ฉลาดแกมโกงของเธอทำให้ทุกคนประหลาดใจและพ่ายแพ้ (Bàai-gàan lên gêm grà-daan, gaan klèu-nai wîi têe chà-lâad gam-gong kǎw ter àak jàt jai lɛ̀ng pàai páet).

Grammatical Breakdown: "During the board game" is a prepositional phrase setting the scene. "Her cunning moves" is a possessive noun phrase with "cunning" as an adjective. "Left everyone surprised" is the main verb in past tense, followed by an adjective.

Structural Analysis: This sentence follows a temporal structure, building suspense. For "cunning usage examples," it shows how the word enhances storytelling in recreational contexts.

Formal Occasion

English: In his speech, the politician warned about the cunning tactics employed by corrupt officials.

Thai: ในสุนทรพจน์ของเขา นักการเมืองเตือนเกี่ยวกับกลวิธีฉลาดแกมโกงที่เจ้าหน้าที่ทุจริตใช้ (Nai sùn-dtrà-pá-john kǎw kǎo, nák gaan meung teuan wêrt pàet glà wí-thî chà-lâad gam-gong têe jâo nâa-thîi thû-chà-rìt chái).

Grammatical Breakdown: "In his speech" is a prepositional phrase. "The politician warned" is the subject-verb core. "About the cunning tactics" is a prepositional object with "cunning" modifying "tactics."

Structural Analysis: This declarative sentence uses formal language, ideal for SEO topics like "cunning in formal contexts," emphasizing ethical implications.

Informal Occasion

English: My friend is so cunning; he always finds a way to get free tickets to concerts.

Thai: เพื่อนฉันฉลาดแกมโกงมาก เขามักหาวิธีได้ตั๋วคอนเสิร์ตฟรีเสมอ (Pûu ngern chăn chà-lâad gam-gong mâak, kăo mâk hăa wí-thî dâi dtùa kon-sěrt free sà-măo).

Grammatical Breakdown: "My friend is so cunning" is a subject-copula-adjective structure. "He always finds" is the main clause with an adverb ("always"). "A way to get free tickets" is an object phrase.

Structural Analysis: This simple sentence conveys casual admiration or criticism, fitting for "cunning meaning in everyday life" in informal SEO content.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: The fox is known for its cunning nature in fables.

Thai: สุนัขจิ้งจอกเป็นที่รู้จักในฐานะที่ฉลาดแกมโกงในนิทาน (Sù-nák jìng-jòk bpen têe rúu-jàk nai tà-naa têe chà-lâad gam-gong nai ní-taan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The fox is known" is subject-verb phrase. "For its cunning nature" is a prepositional phrase.

Structural Analysis: Straightforward structure for stating facts, useful in "cunning usage examples" for educational SEO.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Is the detective's cunning plan going to succeed this time?

Thai: แผนการฉลาดแกมโกงของนักสืบจะประสบความสำเร็จในครั้งนี้หรือ? (Plaan gaan chà-lâad gam-gong kǎw nák sùp jà prà-sòp kwaam sǎm-rèt nai kráng ní reu?)

Grammatical Breakdown: "Is the detective's cunning plan" is the subject phrase. "Going to succeed" is the verb phrase, with "this time" as an adverbial.

Structural Analysis: Question form engages readers, aligning with SEO for "cunning meaning in questions."

Imperative Sentence

English: Beware of his cunning tricks before making any deals.

Thai: ระวังกลอุบายฉลาดแกมโกงของเขาก่อนทำข้อตกลงใดๆ (Rá-wǎng gl ù-bàai chà-lâad gam-gong kǎw gàwn tham kòet dtà-glàong dai-dai).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Beware of" is the imperative verb. "His cunning tricks" is the object phrase.

Structural Analysis: Commands urgency, suitable for "cunning in warnings" in SEO-optimized advice.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a cunning strategy that was to win the debate!

Thai: นั่นเป็นกลยุทธ์ฉลาดแกมโกงที่น่าประทับใจมาก! (Nán bpen glà-yùt chà-lâad gam-gong têe nâa prá-thàp jai mâak!)

Grammatical Breakdown: "What a cunning strategy" is the exclamatory phrase. "That was" is the linking verb.

Structural Analysis: Exaggerates emotion, enhancing engagement in "cunning usage examples."

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: She is cunning.

Thai: เธอฉลาดแกมโกง (Ter chà-lâad gam-gong).

Grammatical Breakdown: "She" (subject) + "is" (verb) + "cunning" (adjective).

Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb-adjective, beginner-friendly for "cunning meaning."

Intermediate Sentence

English: His cunning helped him escape the trap.

Thai: ความฉลาดแกมโกงของเขาช่วยให้เขาเอาตัวรอดจากกับดัก (Kwam chà-lâad gam-gong kǎw chûai hâi kăo ào dtua rót jàk gàp dák).

Grammatical Breakdown: "His cunning" (subject) + "helped" (verb) + "him escape" (object phrase).

Structural Analysis: Adds complexity with an infinitive phrase, useful for intermediate "cunning usage examples."

Complex Sentence

English: Although he appeared honest, his cunning nature revealed itself when he manipulated the situation for personal gain.

Thai: แม้ว่าเขาจะดูซื่อสัตย์ แต่ความฉลาดแกมโกงของเขาก็เปิดเผยตัวเองเมื่อเขาปั่นหัวสถานการณ์เพื่อประโยชน์ส่วนตัว (Mae wa kăo jà duu sǔe sǎt, tàe kwam chà-lâad gam-gong kǎw gòh bpòrt pĕr-rai dtua eeng muer kăo pan hǔa sà-thǎan-kaan pêua prá-yòt sùn dtua).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although he appeared honest" (subordinate clause) + "his cunning nature revealed itself" (main clause) + "when he manipulated" (subordinate clause).

Structural Analysis: Multiple clauses for advanced users, ideal for SEO in detailed language guides.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Sly – Used to describe secretive or deceitful behavior, often in "cunning meaning" contexts like stealthy actions.
• Crafty – Implies skillful manipulation, similar to "cunning in Thai" for strategic planning.

Antonyms:

• Naive – Refers to innocence or lack of guile, contrasting with "cunning usage examples" in ethical discussions.
• Straightforward – Denotes honesty and directness, opposite to the deceptive nuances of "cunning."

Common Collocations:

• Cunning plan – Often used in strategies, as in business SEO content for "cunning meaning in plans."
• Cunning fox – A common idiom for clever trickery, popular in cultural references.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

• Cultural Point 1: In Western literature, "cunning" is often linked to characters like the trickster in fables (e.g., Reynard the Fox), symbolizing survival through wit. In Thai culture, it aligns with stories from the Ramakien, where characters use cunning to outsmart enemies, reflecting a value for resourcefulness in hierarchical societies.

Usage Habits:

• Habit 1: "Cunning" is frequently used in informal Thai conversations among younger demographics, especially in urban areas, due to its popularity in media like movies. It's less common in formal writing, with high frequency in digital content for SEO keywords like "cunning in Thai culture."

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Cunning" functions primarily as an adjective, describing nouns (e.g., "cunning plan"). It can also act as a predicate adjective in sentences like "He is cunning."

Tense and Voice: As an adjective, it doesn't change with tense but adapts to sentence voice. In active voice, it's straightforward (e.g., "She used cunning"), while in passive, it might appear in descriptions like "The plan was cunningly executed," where adverbs modify verbs.

References

Etymology and History:

The word "cunning" originates from Old English "cunnand," meaning "knowledge" or "skill," evolving from Middle English to imply cleverness with a negative twist by the 14th century. In Thai, "ฉลาดแกมโกง" draws from classical literature, reflecting influences from Sanskrit and Pali in Southeast Asian etymology.

Literary References:

• From Shakespeare's "Henry V": "The cunning of the fox is nothing to the guile of man." This highlights "cunning meaning" in human deceit.
• In Thai literature from the Ramakien: "Hanuman's cunning tricks saved the kingdom," illustrating cultural adaptations of cleverness.