dam

บริษัทลงทุนหลายล้านในการสร้างเขื่อนใหม่เพื่อเพิ่มพลังงานไฟฟ้าพลังน้ำ. - Thai translation

Main Translations

English: Dam

The word "dam" primarily functions as a noun referring to a barrier constructed to hold back water, or as a verb meaning to build such a structure.

Thai: เขื่อน (Primary Translation)

Phonetic: kheǔen (pronounced with a rising tone on the first syllable).

Detailed Explanation: In Thai, "เขื่อน" is the most common translation for "dam" as a noun. It refers to a large structure built across a river or stream to control water flow, often for purposes like hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, or flood prevention. Usage scenarios include engineering and environmental contexts, with neutral emotional connotations—though it can evoke positive associations in regions where dams provide essential resources. Semantic nuances depend on context; for example, it might imply human intervention in nature, highlighting themes of progress or ecological impact.

Thai: กั้น (Secondary Translation)

Phonetic: gan (pronounced with a mid tone).

Detailed Explanation: As a verb, "กั้น" translates to "to dam" or "to block." It is used in scenarios involving water management or obstruction, such as blocking a flow in a canal. Emotionally, it carries practical connotations and can imply prevention or control, with nuances of urgency in flood-prone areas. This form is versatile and often appears in everyday or technical discussions, emphasizing action rather than the structure itself.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "dam" is primarily used in contexts related to engineering, environmental science, and infrastructure. As a noun, it appears in discussions about water management, energy production (e.g., hydroelectric dams), and natural disasters (e.g., flood control). As a verb, it is employed in planning or construction scenarios. In Thai, these usages align with modern development projects, reflecting Thailand's focus on water resources in agriculture and urban planning. Overall, "dam" conveys themes of human ingenuity and environmental interaction, with applications in both formal (e.g., business reports) and informal (e.g., casual conversations) settings.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The company invested millions in building a new dam to boost hydroelectric power.

Thai: บริษัทลงทุนหลายล้านในการสร้างเขื่อนใหม่เพื่อเพิ่มพลังงานไฟฟ้าพลังน้ำ (bàn-nà-thî down-thun nêung lân nai gaan sàng kheǔen mài pêua tăng pha-lang-ngǎn fai-fá pha-lang nám).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The company" (subject, noun phrase) + "invested" (verb, past tense) + "millions" (object, quantifier) + "in building" (prepositional phrase) + "a new dam" (direct object, noun phrase) + "to boost" (infinitive phrase for purpose) + "hydroelectric power" (object noun).

Structural Analysis: This is a complex sentence with a main clause and a subordinate clause for purpose. In Thai, the structure follows subject-verb-object order, with particles like "เพื่อ" (pêua) indicating intent, making it suitable for formal business communication.

Leisure Scenario

English: We enjoyed a picnic near the dam, watching the water flow peacefully.

Thai: เราสนุกกับการปิกนิกใกล้เขื่อน โดยดูน้ำไหลอย่างสงบ (rao sà-nùk gàp gaan bpìk-ník glâi kheǔen doi duu nám lài yàang sǒng).

Grammatical Breakdown: "We" (subject, pronoun) + "enjoyed" (verb, past tense) + "a picnic" (direct object, noun) + "near the dam" (prepositional phrase) + "watching" (gerund phrase).

Structural Analysis: This compound sentence combines action and description. In Thai, "โดย" (doi) links actions, creating a casual, narrative flow ideal for leisure contexts.

Formal Occasion

English: During the conference, experts discussed the environmental impact of the dam project.

Thai: ในการประชุม ผู้เชี่ยวชาญได้พูดคุยถึงผลกระทบต่อสิ่งแวดล้อมของโครงการเขื่อน (nai gaan bpra-chum, pûu-chîao-chân dâi phûut khui tĕung phǒn kra-thop tor sìng-wet-lòm khǎawng kaan-dtuàng kheǔen).

Grammatical Breakdown: "During the conference" (prepositional phrase) + "experts" (subject) + "discussed" (verb, past tense) + "the environmental impact" (object noun phrase) + "of the dam project" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: A declarative sentence with formal language; Thai uses "ได้" (dâi) for completed actions, enhancing its suitability for professional settings.

Informal Occasion

English: Hey, let's go see the dam this weekend; it's really cool!

Thai: เฮ้ ไปดูเขื่อนกันสุดสัปดาห์นี้สิ มันเจ๋งมาก! (hèe bpai duu kheǔen gan sùt-sàp-dah nî sǐ, man jèng mâak!).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Hey" (interjection) + "let's go" (imperative verb phrase) + "see the dam" (infinitive object) + "this weekend" (adverbial phrase) + "it's really cool" (exclamatory clause).

Structural Analysis: Informal and exclamatory; Thai slang like "เจ๋ง" (jèng) adds enthusiasm, making it conversational.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: The dam provides water for the entire region.

Thai: เขื่อนให้น้ำสำหรับภูมิภาคทั้งหมด (kheǔen hâi nám sǎm-ràp phûm-jìàk thang hàm).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The dam" (subject) + "provides" (verb) + "water" (direct object) + "for the entire region" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Straightforward subject-verb-object structure; in Thai, it's concise and factual.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Have you ever visited the dam in the mountains?

Thai: คุณเคยไปเยี่ยมเขื่อนในภูเขาบ้างไหม? (khun kîi bpai yîiam kheǔen nai phuu kǎo bàang mǎi?).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Have you" (auxiliary verb + subject) + "ever visited" (verb phrase) + "the dam" (object) + "in the mountains" (prepositional phrase)?

Structural Analysis: Question form with inversion; Thai ends with "ไหม" (mǎi) for questions, promoting interactive dialogue.

Imperative Sentence

English: Please dam the river before the rainy season starts.

Thai: กรุณากั้นแม่น้ำก่อนฤดูฝนจะมา (grù-naa gan mâe nám gàrn rí-duu fǒn ja maa).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Please" (polite interjection) + "dam" (imperative verb) + "the river" (object) + "before" (subordinating conjunction) + "the rainy season starts" (clause).

Structural Analysis: Command structure; Thai uses "กรุณา" (grù-naa) for politeness in directives.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a massive dam that is!

Thai: เขื่อนที่ใหญ่โตอะไรอย่างนั้น! (kheǔen thîi yàai dto a-rai yàang nan!).

Grammatical Breakdown: "What a" (exclamation starter) + "massive dam" (noun phrase) + "that is" (copula clause)!

Structural Analysis: Emphasizes surprise; Thai exclamation marks convey strong emotion effectively.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: The dam is big.

Thai: เขื่อนใหญ่ (kheǔen yàai).

Grammatical Breakdown: "The dam" (subject) + "is" (verb) + "big" (adjective).

Structural Analysis: Basic subject-copula-adjective; ideal for beginners.

Intermediate Sentence

English: Engineers built the dam to prevent flooding.

Thai: วิศวกรสร้างเขื่อนเพื่อป้องกันน้ำท่วม (wít-sà-wà-gàrn sàng kheǔen pêua bpòng-dtàn nám tùam).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Engineers" (subject) + "built" (verb) + "the dam" (object) + "to prevent" (infinitive phrase) + "flooding" (object noun).

Structural Analysis: Includes purpose clause; moderately complex for intermediate learners.

Complex Sentence

English: Although the dam was constructed years ago, it continues to supply water and generate electricity for the community.

Thai: แม้ว่าเขื่อนจะถูกสร้างขึ้นเมื่อหลายปีก่อน แต่ก็ยังคงจ่ายน้ำและผลิตไฟฟ้าให้ชุมชน (mâe wâa kheǔen ja thùk sàng kheun mêua nêung pii gàwn, tàe gò yang krang jaai nám làe pat-lìt fai-fá hâi chum-chon).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although" (subordinating conjunction) + "the dam was constructed" (clause) + "years ago" (adverbial phrase) + "," + "it continues" (main clause) + "to supply" (infinitive) + "water and generate electricity" (objects) + "for the community" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Multi-clause structure with concession; challenges advanced users with Thai conjunctions like "แม้ว่า" (mâe wâa).

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

Barrier – Used interchangeably with "dam" in contexts of obstruction, e.g., in flood control.
Embankment – A near synonym for earth-based dams, often in civil engineering discussions.

Antonyms:

Breach – Refers to a break in a dam, implying failure or destruction.
Overflow – The opposite action, where water exceeds the dam's capacity.

Common Collocations:

Hydroelectric dam – Refers to dams used for power generation, common in energy sectors.
Flood control dam – Emphasizes prevention of flooding, prevalent in disaster management.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

Cultural Point 1: In Thailand, dams like the Bhumibol Dam symbolize national development and King Bhumibol Adulyadej's (Rama IX) initiatives for water management. They represent modernization and self-sufficiency, but also spark debates on environmental displacement, as seen in protests against projects like the Pak Mun Dam.

Usage Habits:

Habit 1: "Dam" and its Thai equivalents are frequently used in rural and urban areas, especially during monsoon seasons. It is popular among engineers, farmers, and policymakers, with high frequency in media and education, though less common in casual daily talk.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function:

"Dam" primarily serves as a noun (e.g., subject or object in sentences) or a verb (e.g., action in commands). As a noun, it can be a direct object, as in "We visited the dam." As a verb, it functions transitively, e.g., "They dammed the river."

Tense and Voice:

Tense changes include present ("The dam holds water"), past ("Engineers dammed the river"), and future ("We will dam the stream"). In voice, it can be active ("Workers built the dam") or passive ("The dam was built last year"). In Thai, verbs like "สร้าง" (sàng) adapt with particles for tense, such as "ได้สร้าง" for past actions.

References

Etymology and History:

The English word "dam" originates from Old English "damm," meaning a barrier, evolving from Proto-Germanic roots related to embankments. Historically, dams date back to ancient civilizations like the Romans and Egyptians, with modern usage surging during the Industrial Revolution for water power.

Literary References:

From Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi": "The dam held back the mighty river," illustrating human control over nature (1883).
In Thai literature, from the novel "Four Reigns" by Kukrit Pramoj: "เขื่อนที่สร้างขึ้นเพื่อปกป้องหมู่บ้าน" (The dam built to protect the village), symbolizing community resilience (1953).