Main Translations

English: decimal

Thai: ทศนิยม (Primary Translation 1)

Phonetic: dtson-ni-yom (pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable, as in "dt" for a soft 't' sound)

Detailed Explanation: The term "ทศนิยม" is commonly used in Thai to refer to the decimal system, which is a base-10 numbering system. It encompasses the concept of decimal fractions, points, or places in mathematics, science, and everyday calculations. Usage scenarios include educational contexts (e.g., teaching math in schools), financial reporting, and technology. Emotionally, it carries a neutral connotation, symbolizing precision and logic, but can evoke frustration in complex calculations. Semantic nuances include its role in distinguishing from other systems like binary, emphasizing accuracy in measurements or currency.

Thai: เลขทศนิยม (Secondary Translation 2)

Phonetic: lek-dtson-ni-yom (pronounced with a smooth flow, where "lek" means "number")

Detailed Explanation: This translation specifically highlights "decimal numbers" or fractions, often used in more technical or informal discussions. For instance, it might appear in accounting or programming. Emotionally, it can imply practicality in daily life, such as handling money or data. Semantic nuances differentiate it from the broader "ทศนิยม" by focusing on numerical values rather than the system itself, making it ideal for contexts requiring specificity, like in Thai educational materials or financial apps.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "decimal" is primarily used in mathematical, educational, scientific, and everyday contexts to describe the base-10 number system or related concepts like decimal points and fractions. Common scenarios include business for financial calculations, leisure for gaming or measurements, formal occasions like academic lectures, and informal settings such as casual conversations about money. In Thai culture, it's frequently encountered in education and technology, emphasizing precision and global standardization.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The company's annual report uses decimal notation for precise financial figures.

Thai: รายงานประจำปีของบริษัทใช้การเขียนทศนิยมเพื่อแสดงตัวเลขทางการเงินที่แม่นยำ

Grammatical Breakdown: "The company's" (subject, possessive noun phrase) + "annual report" (direct object, noun) + "uses" (verb, present tense) + "decimal notation" (object complement, noun phrase) + "for precise financial figures" (prepositional phrase, adverbial modifier).

Structural Analysis: This is a declarative sentence with a subject-verb-object structure, common in business writing. "Decimal" functions as an adjective modifying "notation," highlighting its role in professional accuracy. SEO keywords like "decimal notation in business" enhance relevance.

Leisure Scenario

English: In video games, scores are often displayed with decimal points for detailed rankings.

Thai: ในเกมวิดีโอ คะแนนมักถูกแสดงด้วยจุดทศนิยมเพื่อจัดอันดับที่ละเอียด

Grammatical Breakdown: "In video games" (prepositional phrase, introductory adverbial) + "scores" (subject, plural noun) + "are often displayed" (verb phrase, passive voice) + "with decimal points" (prepositional phrase, modifier) + "for detailed rankings" (purpose clause).

Structural Analysis: This sentence uses passive voice to emphasize the action on "scores," making it engaging for leisure contexts. "Decimal" acts as a noun, illustrating its versatility in informal, fun scenarios like gaming.

Formal Occasion

English: During the conference, the speaker explained the importance of the decimal system in global trade.

Thai: ในระหว่างการประชุม ผู้พูดอธิบายความสำคัญของระบบทศนิยมในด้านการค้าสากล

Grammatical Breakdown: "During the conference" (prepositional phrase, time adverbial) + "the speaker" (subject) + "explained" (verb, past tense) + "the importance" (direct object) + "of the decimal system" (prepositional phrase, modifier) + "in global trade" (additional modifier).

Structural Analysis: A complex declarative sentence that builds formality through subordination. "Decimal" serves as an adjective, underscoring its educational value in formal settings.

Informal Occasion

English: Hey, can you help me convert this fraction to a decimal quickly?

Thai: เฮ้ ช่วยฉันแปลงเศษส่วนนี้เป็นทศนิยมหน่อยได้ไหม

Grammatical Breakdown: "Hey" (interjection) + "can you help me" (interrogative clause, subject-verb inversion) + "convert this fraction" (infinitive phrase, object) + "to a decimal" (prepositional phrase) + "quickly" (adverb).

Structural Analysis: This interrogative sentence uses casual language for everyday interactions. "Decimal" functions as a noun, making it approachable in informal contexts like casual math help.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: The decimal point separates the whole number from the fractional part.

Thai: จุดทศนิยมแยกตัวเลขเต็มออกจากส่วนเศษส่วน

Grammatical Breakdown: "The decimal point" (subject) + "separates" (verb) + "the whole number" (direct object) + "from the fractional part" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Straightforward subject-verb-object structure, ideal for clear explanations. "Decimal" modifies "point," emphasizing its definitional role.

Interrogative Sentence

English: Do you understand how to use decimal places in calculations?

Thai: คุณเข้าใจวิธีการใช้จุดทศนิยมในการคำนวณหรือไม่

Grammatical Breakdown: "Do you understand" (inverted subject-verb for question) + "how to use" (subordinate clause) + "decimal places" (object) + "in calculations" (prepositional phrase) + "or not" (tag question).

Structural Analysis: This yes/no question engages learners, with "decimal" as a key noun for educational queries.

Imperative Sentence

English: Always double-check the decimal in your financial entries.

Thai: อย่าลืมตรวจสอบทศนิยมในข้อมูลทางการเงินของคุณเสมอ

Grammatical Breakdown: "Always double-check" (imperative verb phrase) + "the decimal" (direct object) + "in your financial entries" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Command form for advice, where "decimal" acts as a noun, promoting caution in practical scenarios.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a difference a single decimal point makes in pricing!

Thai: น่าเหลือเชื่อจริงๆ ที่จุดทศนิยมเดียวสามารถเปลี่ยนแปลงราคาได้มากขนาดนี้!

Grammatical Breakdown: "What a difference" (exclamation starter) + "a single decimal point" (subject) + "makes" (verb) + "in pricing" (prepositional phrase).

Structural Analysis: Emphasizes surprise, with "decimal" as a noun to highlight its impact in exclamatory expressions.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: This is a decimal number.

Thai: นี่คือตัวเลขทศนิยม

Grammatical Breakdown: "This" (demonstrative pronoun, subject) + "is" (verb, linking) + "a decimal number" (predicate nominative).

Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb-complement structure for beginners, with "decimal" as an adjective.

Intermediate Sentence

English: Converting fractions to decimals requires basic math skills.

Thai: การแปลงเศษส่วนเป็นทศนิยมต้องการทักษะคณิตศาสตร์พื้นฐาน

Grammatical Breakdown: "Converting fractions" (gerund phrase, subject) + "to decimals" (prepositional phrase) + "requires" (verb) + "basic math skills" (object).

Structural Analysis: Compound structure with a gerund, suitable for intermediate learners, where "decimal" is a noun.

Complex Sentence

English: Although the binary system is used in computing, the decimal system remains essential for everyday applications because it aligns with human counting methods.

Thai: แม้ว่าระบบฐานสองจะถูกใช้ในคอมพิวเตอร์ แต่ระบบทศนิยมยังคงมีความสำคัญสำหรับการใช้งานประจำวันเพราะมันสอดคล้องกับวิธีการนับของมนุษย์

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although the binary system is used" (subordinate clause) + "the decimal system remains essential" (main clause) + "for everyday applications" (prepositional phrase) + "because it aligns" (subordinate clause).

Structural Analysis: Multi-clause structure for advanced users, with "decimal" as a noun in a comparative context.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Base-10 system – Used interchangeably with "decimal" in mathematical contexts to describe the same numbering foundation, often in educational or technical discussions.
• Decimal fraction – Refers to a fraction expressed in decimal form, emphasizing precision in calculations like percentages or measurements.

Antonyms:

• Binary system – The opposite of decimal, representing base-2 numbering used in computing, highlighting a contrast in digital vs. everyday applications.
• Hexadecimal – A base-16 system, antonymous in programming contexts, where it replaces decimal for efficiency in data representation.

Common Collocations:

• Decimal point – Often used in phrases like "place the decimal point correctly," referring to the separator in numbers for accurate division or fractions.
• Decimal places – Common in expressions like "round to two decimal places," indicating precision in financial or scientific calculations.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

• Cultural Point 1: In Thai culture, the decimal system is deeply integrated into education and daily life, influenced by Western mathematical traditions during the Rattanakosin period. It symbolizes modernity and globalization, as seen in Thai currency (e.g., baht with decimal subunits), contrasting with traditional Thai counting methods in folklore.

Usage Habits:

• Habit 1: "Decimal" and its Thai equivalents are frequently used in formal education and professional settings, with high popularity among students and professionals. It's less common in casual conversations but appears in media like news or apps, applicable to all age groups for its universal relevance.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Decimal" primarily functions as an adjective (e.g., "decimal system") to describe numbers or systems based on base-10, or as a noun (e.g., "convert to decimal"). It can act as a subject, object, or modifier in sentences, adapting to various roles for clarity in mathematical contexts.

Tense and Voice: As an adjective or noun, "decimal" doesn't change with tense but can appear in verb phrases like "is decimal" (present tense) or "was converted to decimal" (past tense, passive voice). In active voice, it's often in commands like "Use decimal notation."

References

Etymology and History:

The word "decimal" originates from the Latin "decimus," meaning "tenth," evolving through Old French "decimal" in the 17th century during the Scientific Revolution. It gained prominence with the adoption of the metric system in the 18th century, influencing global standards like the Thai baht's decimalization in the 20th century for modernization.

Literary References:

• In Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (1865), the concept of numbers indirectly references decimal logic in riddles, such as: "Why is a raven like a writing-desk?" – though not explicit, it underscores whimsical math. Source: Carroll, L. (1865). Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
• In modern literature, Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" series (1951) discusses decimal systems in futuristic computing, e.g., "The decimal was the backbone of their calculations." Source: Asimov, I. (1951). Foundation.