Main Translations

English: Dependence

Thai: การพึ่งพา (gaan peueng paa)

Phonetic: Gaan peueng paa (pronounced as "gaan" like "gone" with a short 'o', "peueng" like "pung" with a soft 'eu' sound, and "paa" like "pah").

Detailed Explanation: "การพึ่งพา" is the primary translation for "dependence" in Thai, referring to the state of relying on someone or something for support, resources, or survival. It often carries a neutral to negative emotional connotation, implying vulnerability or weakness, such as in economic or personal relationships. Usage scenarios include everyday contexts like financial dependence (e.g., on a job) or psychological dependence (e.g., on a partner). Semantically, it highlights interconnectedness but can suggest imbalance, making it a common term in discussions about self-reliance in Thai culture.

Thai: ความพึ่งพา (kwam peueng paa)

Phonetic: Kwam peueng paa (pronounced as "kwam" like "kwum" with a short 'a', "peueng" as above, and "paa" as "pah").

Detailed Explanation: This secondary translation emphasizes the abstract or emotional aspect of dependence, often used in more formal or psychological contexts. It conveys a sense of necessity or attachment, with subtle emotional nuances like longing or obligation. For instance, it's used in scenarios involving family dynamics or addiction, where it might evoke empathy or concern. Semantically, it differs from "การพึ่งพา" by focusing on the "state of being" rather than the "act," making it ideal for introspective or therapeutic discussions in Thai society.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

In summary, "dependence" is a versatile noun used across various contexts to describe reliance on external factors. Common scenarios include personal relationships (e.g., emotional dependence), professional settings (e.g., business dependencies on suppliers), and health-related issues (e.g., substance dependence). In Thai, it often appears in conversations about societal issues like economic inequality or family obligations, reflecting cultural values of community and interconnectedness while highlighting potential risks of over-reliance.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The company's dependence on imported materials has increased its vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions.

Thai: ความพึ่งพาของบริษัทต่อวัตถุดิบนำเข้าได้เพิ่มความเสี่ยงต่อการหยุดชะงักของห่วงโซ่อุปทานโลก (kwam peueng paa khong baan nak tor wat tu dip nam khâo dâi pûeu khwaam sèuk tor gaan yùt cha ngak khǎwng hûng sǎo à·pà·tan lôk).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" (kwam peueng paa) functions as a noun phrase, modified by "of the company" (khong baan nak) and "on imported materials" (tor wat tu dip nam khâo). The sentence includes a subject (the company's dependence), verb (has increased), and object (vulnerability).

Structural Analysis: This is a complex sentence with a dependent clause ("has increased its vulnerability") explaining the consequence. It uses passive voice subtly to emphasize the issue, common in business English for objectivity.

Leisure Scenario

English: Her dependence on social media for entertainment has affected her real-life social interactions.

Thai: การพึ่งพาสื่อสังคมออนไลน์ของเธอเพื่อความบันเทิงได้ส่งผลต่อปฏิสัมพันธ์ทางสังคมในชีวิตจริง (gaan peueng paa sǔe sǎng khom on lain khǎwng thoeh pêu khwaam ban theng dâi sòng phal tor bpàt·sa·mà·pan·thì thǎng sǎng khom nai chii·wit jing).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" (gaan peueng paa) is a noun acting as the subject, with prepositional phrases like "on social media" (sǔe sǎng khom on lain) and "for entertainment" (pêu khwaam ban theng). The verb "has affected" links to the object.

Structural Analysis: The sentence follows a subject-verb-object structure with a causal element, highlighting cause-and-effect in leisure contexts. In Thai, it uses formal connectors for clarity, reflecting polite discourse.

Formal Occasion

English: In his speech, the economist discussed the nation's dependence on foreign aid as a barrier to self-sufficiency.

Thai: ในสุนทรพจน์ของเขา นักเศรษฐศาสตร์ได้กล่าวถึงการพึ่งพาของชาติต่อความช่วยเหลือจากต่างประเทศในฐานะอุปสรรคต่อความพอเพียง (nai sùn·thon·pha·jan khǎwng kǎo, nák sèk·kà·thà·sàt dâi glâao thǔng gaan peueng paa khǎwng châat tor khwaam chûai lêu sǔe jàk dtàang bpra·thêet nai ta·nǎa à·pà·sà·rok tor khwaam phor phiang).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" (gaan peueng paa) serves as a direct object in the clause "discussed the nation's dependence." It includes possessive structures like "of the nation" (khǎwng châat).

Structural Analysis: This is a declarative sentence with embedded clauses for detail, typical in formal settings. Thai structure prioritizes the main idea first, enhancing rhetorical flow.

Informal Occasion

English: I think my dependence on coffee every morning is getting out of hand.

Thai: ฉันคิดว่าการพึ่งพากาแฟทุกเช้าของฉันกำลังออกจากมือ (chăn khít wâa gaan peueng paa gaa fáe thûk cháo khǎwng chăn gam lang òk jàk meu).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" (gaan peueng paa) is a noun in the subject phrase, with "on coffee" implied. "I think" acts as an introductory clause for personal opinion.

Structural Analysis: Informal and conversational, it uses simple structure with first-person perspective. In Thai, it employs everyday language for relatability.

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: Economic dependence can lead to instability in developing countries.

Thai: การพึ่งพาทางเศรษฐกิจสามารถนำไปสู่ความไม่มั่นคงในประเทศกำลังพัฒนา (gaan peueng paa thǎng sèk·kà·thà·sàt sǎa·mârt nâam bpai sǔe khwaam mâi man·kan nai bpra·thêet gam lang pàt·thá·naa).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" (gaan peueng paa) is the subject; "can lead to" is the verb phrase.

Structural Analysis: Straightforward subject-verb-object format, ideal for stating facts.

Interrogative Sentence

English: How does emotional dependence affect long-term relationships?

Thai: การพึ่งพาทางอารมณ์ส่งผลต่อความสัมพันธ์ระยะยาวอย่างไร (gaan peueng paa thǎng aa·rom sòng phal tor khwaam sǎm·pàn thîng ra·ya yâao yaang rai).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" (gaan peueng paa) is part of the subject; the question word "how" introduces inquiry.

Structural Analysis: Begins with a question word, inverting typical structure for inquiry.

Imperative Sentence

English: Avoid creating a dependence on unhealthy habits.

Thai: หลีกเลี่ยงการสร้างการพึ่งพาต่อนิสัยที่ไม่ดี (lèek lîang gaan sǎng gaan peueng paa tor nísàt thîi mâi dee).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" (gaan peueng paa) is the object; "avoid" is the command verb.

Structural Analysis: Direct command structure, omitting subject for brevity.

Exclamatory Sentence

English: What a dangerous dependence on technology we have today!

Thai: ช่างเป็นการพึ่งพาเทคโนโลยีที่อันตรายเพียงใดในยุคนี้! (châang bpen gaan peueng paa tek·no·lo·gy thîi an·tra·nyai phǐng dai nai yùk ní!)

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" (gaan peueng paa) is the focus; exclamation mark adds emphasis.

Structural Analysis: Uses rhetorical flair to express strong emotion.

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: Dependence is risky.

Thai: การพึ่งพามีความเสี่ยง (gaan peueng paa mee khwaam sèuk).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" as subject; "is risky" as predicate.

Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb structure for beginners.

Intermediate Sentence

English: Her dependence on others makes her feel insecure.

Thai: การพึ่งพาคนอื่นทำให้เธอรู้สึกไม่มั่นคง (gaan peueng paa khon èun tam hai thoeh rûu sèuk mâi man·kan).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" as subject; includes object and result clause.

Structural Analysis: Adds complexity with emotional outcome.

Complex Sentence

English: Although dependence can foster relationships, it often leads to problems when one party becomes too reliant.

Thai: แม้ว่าการพึ่งพาจะช่วยเสริมสร้างความสัมพันธ์ แต่ก็มักนำไปสู่ปัญหาเมื่อฝ่ายหนึ่งพึ่งพามากเกินไป (mâe wâa gaan peueng paa jà chûai serm sǎng khwaam sǎm·pàn thîng tàe gò mák nâam bpai sǔe bpàt·le·laa mêu fǎai nùeng peueng paa mâak geun bpai).

Grammatical Breakdown: "Dependence" appears twice; includes subordinate clauses.

Structural Analysis: Multi-clause structure for advanced nuance.

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

• Reliance – Used similarly to indicate trust or dependence, often in professional contexts (e.g., "reliance on data").
• Dependency – A near synonym emphasizing a state of need, common in psychological or economic discussions.

Antonyms:

• Independence – Refers to self-reliance, contrasting dependence by highlighting autonomy (e.g., in personal growth).
• Self-sufficiency – Implies the ability to function without external help, often used in economic or survival scenarios.

Common Collocations:

• Drug dependence – Refers to addiction, frequently used in health contexts to describe substance reliance.
• Economic dependence – Describes reliance on financial aid, common in global trade discussions.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

Cultural Point 1: In Thai culture, dependence is often viewed through the lens of "kreng jai" (consideration for others), where reliance on family or community is seen as normal but can lead to enabling behaviors. This reflects Thailand's collectivist society, where words like "การพึ่งพา" are used positively in familial contexts but negatively in modern individualism debates.

Usage Habits:

Habit 1: "Dependence" and its Thai equivalents are frequently used in everyday conversations among younger generations discussing mental health, with high popularity on social media. It's more common in urban areas and applicable to groups like students or professionals facing rapid societal changes.

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function:

"Dependence" primarily functions as a noun, serving as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase in sentences (e.g., subject in "Dependence is common"). In Thai, it acts similarly but often integrates with classifiers like "การ" for actions.

Tense and Voice:

As a noun, "dependence" doesn't change with tense but can appear in phrases with verbs (e.g., "has created dependence" in present perfect). In passive voice, it's used in constructions like "Dependence was fostered by necessity." In Thai, tense is implied through context or helpers like "ได้" for past actions.

References

Etymology and History:

The word "dependence" originates from Latin "dependere," meaning "to hang from," evolving in English during the 15th century to denote reliance. In Thai, "การพึ่งพา" draws from Pali/Sanskrit influences, reflecting historical Buddhist concepts of interconnectedness in society.

Literary References:

In English literature, Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" references emotional dependence: "Her dependence on others' opinions made her miserable." In Thai literature, from Sida's works, phrases like "ความพึ่งพา" appear in stories emphasizing family ties, such as in modern novels by Kukrit Pramoj.