Main Translations

English: Dated

Thai: ล้าสมัย (Lǎa s̄ả mảai)

Phonetic: laa-sa-mai (pronounced with a rising tone on "laa" and a falling tone on "mai")

Detailed Explanation: The word "dated" as an adjective refers to something that is no longer current, fashionable, or relevant, often carrying a negative connotation of being outdated or obsolete. It is commonly used in scenarios involving technology, fashion, ideas, or cultural trends. For example, in everyday language, it implies a sense of obsolescence that can evoke emotions like frustration or nostalgia. In Thai, "ล้าสมัย" is the most direct equivalent, emphasizing the idea of something being behind the times due to rapid societal changes in Thailand, where modernization is highly valued. Semantic nuances include its use in formal critiques (e.g., in media or business) versus casual conversations.

Thai: เก่า (Kâo)

Phonetic: kao (pronounced with a mid tone)

Detailed Explanation: As a secondary translation, "เก่า" means "old" or "aged," which can imply something is dated but is broader in scope. It doesn't always carry the same negative connotation as "dated"; for instance, it can be neutral or even positive in cultural contexts, like referring to antique items. Usage scenarios include everyday descriptions of objects or traditions, with emotional connotations ranging from sentimental (e.g., family heirlooms) to dismissive (e.g., outdated gadgets). In Thai culture, this word highlights nuances of time and value, where something "เก่า" might be cherished if it has historical significance, unlike the more pejorative "ล้าสมัย."

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "dated" is primarily used as an adjective to describe items, ideas, or practices that are outdated or no longer in vogue. Common usage scenarios include technology and business discussions (e.g., criticizing old software), fashion and leisure contexts (e.g., describing retro styles), and formal settings (e.g., academic or professional critiques). It often appears in informal conversations to express mild criticism or in interrogative forms for opinions. Overall, "dated" reflects evolving cultural standards, with frequent use in English-speaking and Thai contexts where rapid change is emphasized.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The company's marketing strategy is dated and fails to engage younger audiences.

Thai: กลยุทธ์การตลาดของบริษัทล้าสมัยและไม่สามารถดึงดูดผู้ชมรุ่นเยาว์ได้ (Klyut̒ kār t̀ảl̀ảd k̄hx brrks̄ảr lǎa s̄ả mảai lảe mị̀ s̄āmar tâng d̀ûng dū d̂ā p̄hū̂ chm røn yĕw)

Grammatical Breakdown: "The company's marketing strategy" (subject) is a noun phrase; "is dated" (predicate adjective) describes the state; "and fails to engage" (conjunction + verb phrase) adds action. In Thai, "กลยุทธ์การตลาด" is the subject, "ล้าสมัย" is the adjective, and "ไม่สามารถดึงดูด" is the verb phrase.

Structural Analysis: This declarative sentence follows a subject-verb-complement structure in English, emphasizing the adjective "dated" for critique. In Thai, it uses a similar S-V-O pattern but with particles for emphasis, making it suitable for professional emails or meetings where SEO keywords like "business strategy" can be integrated.

Leisure Scenario

English: That old vinyl record collection feels dated compared to streaming services.

Thai: คอลเลกชันแผ่นเสียงเก่านั้นรู้สึกล้าสมัยเมื่อเทียบกับบริการสตรีมมิ่ง (K̄hảl le k̄hæn p̄hæ̀n s̄eụ̄ng keī nạ̀n r̂ū s̄ảk lǎa s̄ả mảai m̄eu teīyb kạb brrks̄ảr s̄trīm mīng)

Grammatical Breakdown: "That old vinyl record collection" (subject); "feels dated" (verb + adjective); "compared to" (prepositional phrase). In Thai, "คอลเลกชันแผ่นเสียงเก่านั้น" is the subject, and "รู้สึกล้าสมัย" is the verb-adjective pair.

Structural Analysis: This sentence uses a comparative structure to highlight obsolescence, common in casual talks about hobbies. The Thai version maintains parallelism, aiding in SEO for leisure topics like "vinyl records."

Formal Occasion

English: The architecture of the building is dated, reflecting styles from the 19th century.

Thai: สถาปัตยกรรมของอาคารล้าสมัยสะท้อนสไตล์จากศตวรรษที่ 19 (S̄t̀hāp̄tỵạkrrm k̄hx ākār lǎa s̄ả mảai s̄ả thn s̄ảyl̀ả cāk s̄ct w r̂ṣ̄ thī 19)

Grammatical Breakdown: "The architecture" (subject); "is dated" (linking verb + adjective); "reflecting styles" (participial phrase). Thai breaks it as "สถาปัตยกรรม" (subject) and "ล้าสมัย" (adjective).

Structural Analysis: A formal declarative sentence with a descriptive clause, ideal for essays or presentations. It optimizes SEO by linking to historical contexts.

Informal Occasion

English: Your phone is so dated; you should upgrade it soon!

Thai: โทรศัพท์ของนายล้าสมัยมาก นายควรอัปเกรดมันเร็วๆ (Tr̀sc̄ạ p̄h̄ th̄ k̄hx nāy lǎa s̄ả mảai māk nāy kx r̒ ạ p̄ kret mạn reīw reīw)

Grammatical Breakdown: "Your phone" (subject); "is so dated" (verb + intensifier + adjective); "you should upgrade" (imperative suggestion). Thai uses "โทรศัพท์ของนาย" as subject and "ควรอัปเกรด" as modal verb phrase.

Structural Analysis: Informal tone with exclamation, blending declarative and imperative elements. This structure is conversational, enhancing SEO for everyday tech discussions.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: The film's special effects look dated now.

Thai: เอฟเฟกต์พิเศษของภาพยนตร์เรื่องนี้น่าล้าสมัยแล้ว (E f̄f̄ek t̒ pĕs̄ả k̄hx p̄hāp̄ yyn t̀hr r̂ṣ̄ nī nả lǎa s̄ả mảai læ̂w)

Grammatical Breakdown: "The film's special effects" (subject); "look dated" (verb + adjective). Thai: Subject + adjective phrase.

Structural Analysis: Straightforward S-V structure for stating facts, useful in reviews.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Is this design dated compared to modern trends?

Thai: ออกแบบนี้ล้าสมัยเมื่อเทียบกับเทรนด์สมัยใหม่หรือ? (ʼxk tbāy nī lǎa s̄ả mảai m̄eu teīyb kạb treǹd s̄māi m̄ī h̄rụ̄?)

Grammatical Breakdown: "Is this design dated" (question word + subject + verb); "compared to" (phrase). Thai: Interrogative particle "หรือ".

Structural Analysis: Inverted structure for questions, engaging for discussions.

Imperative Sentence

English: Don't buy that dated gadget; it's not worth it.

Thai: อย่าซื้อของล้าสมัยนั้น มันไม่คุ้มค่า (ʼyā s̄ū̂ k̄hx lǎa s̄ả mảai nạ̀n mạn mị̀ khūm k̄hâ)

Grammatical Breakdown: "Don't buy" (imperative verb); "that dated gadget" (object). Thai: Imperative "อย่า" + verb.

Structural Analysis: Command form with negative, for advice.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: How dated that idea sounds in today's world!

Thai: ช่างล้าสมัยสำหรับไอเดียนั้นในโลกปัจจุบัน! (C̄h̀xng lǎa s̄ả mảai s̄ả h̄rụ̄m k̄hx ʼāy dī yạ̀n nı s̄ān l̀ảw k̄hcụṇ!)

Grammatical Breakdown: "How dated" (exclamation + adjective); "that idea sounds" (clause). Thai: Exclamatory structure.

Structural Analysis: Emphasizes emotion, ideal for reactions.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: The car is dated.

Thai: รถคันนี้ล้าสมัย (Rt̒ kn nī lǎa s̄ả mảai)

Grammatical Breakdown: Subject + verb + adjective. Thai: Same structure.

Structural Analysis: Basic S-V-A, for beginners.

Intermediate Sentence

English: Because it's dated, the book doesn't sell well anymore.

Thai: เพราะมันล้าสมัย หนังสือเล่มนี้จึงขายไม่ดีอีกต่อไป (P̄hrǫ mạn lǎa s̄ả mảai nảng s̄ū̂ lem nī cêṅ kảa mị̀ dī ʼk t̀x p̄hi)

Grammatical Breakdown: Subordinating clause + main clause. Thai: Conjunction + clauses.

Structural Analysis: Includes cause-effect, for intermediate learners.

Complex Sentence

English: Although the fashion is dated, it has a certain charm that appeals to vintage enthusiasts.

Thai: แม้แฟชั่นจะล้าสมัย แต่มันก็มีเสน่ห์บางอย่างที่ดึงดูดคนรักของเก่า (Mæ̀ fæ cn ca lǎa s̄ả mảai tæ̀ mạn k̄ cı mī s̄æ n̂ h̄ bāng ʼyāng thī dûng dū d̂ā k̄hon r̂ảk k̄hx keīa)

Grammatical Breakdown: Concessive clause + main clause. Thai: Multiple clauses with connectors.

Structural Analysis: Advanced with contrasts, for nuanced discussions.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

Outdated – Often used interchangeably with "dated" to describe something no longer current, e.g., in technology reviews for SEO optimization.

Antiquated – Implies extreme obsolescence, with a more formal tone, as in historical contexts.

Antonyms:

Modern – Refers to something current and innovative, contrasting "dated" in fashion or design discussions.

Up-to-date – Emphasizes relevance and timeliness, commonly used in business to oppose "dated."

Common Collocations:

Dated technology – Refers to old devices or software, e.g., in reviews to highlight upgrades.

Dated style – Describes outdated fashion, popular in cultural critiques for SEO.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

Cultural Point 1: In Western cultures, "dated" often reflects rapid technological advancement, as seen in the U.S. or UK, where it critiques items from previous decades. In Thai culture, it ties to "sanuk" (fun) and modernization, where something "ล้าสมัย" might be humorously referenced in media, emphasizing Thailand's blend of tradition and global influences.

Usage Habits:

Habit 1: "Dated" is frequently used in urban, tech-savvy groups in Thailand, especially among younger demographics on social media, making it popular in informal settings. It's less common in rural areas where traditional items are valued, with high frequency in online content for SEO purposes.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Dated" functions as an adjective, modifying nouns (e.g., "dated phone") or appearing as a predicate adjective (e.g., "The phone is dated"). It can also serve in comparative forms like "more dated."

Tense and Voice: As an adjective derived from the verb "date," it doesn't change tenses directly but can appear in passive constructions (e.g., "The idea was considered dated"). In Thai equivalents, it remains invariant but adapts to sentence voice through context.

References

Etymology and History:

The word "dated" originates from Middle English "dat," meaning "a point in time," evolving in the 19th century to mean "out of date." Its modern usage surged with industrialization, reflecting societal progress. In Thai, "ล้าสมัย" emerged in the 20th century with Western influences during modernization efforts.

Literary References:

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," the phrase "dated glamour" is implied in descriptions of 1920s excess, highlighting obsolescence. Source: Fitzgerald, F.S. (1925). In Thai literature, similar themes appear in works like "Kru Khrua" by Sida Phengchan, where outdated customs are critiqued.