Main Translations

English: Dozen

Thai Primary Translation: โหล (lo)

Phonetic: /lɔː/ (pronounced like "low" with a low tone, similar to a gentle hum).

Explanation: In Thai culture, "โหล" is a practical unit referring to 12 items, much like in English, but it's deeply embedded in everyday commerce and daily life. Unlike the more formal "สิบสอง" (sip song), which simply means "twelve," "โหล" carries a casual, market-oriented connotation. Thai people often use it in bargaining at fresh markets or when buying in bulk, evoking a sense of tradition and efficiency. Emotionally, it can imply abundance or value for money—think of a vendor proudly offering "ไข่โหลละ 50 บาท" (eggs by the dozen for 50 baht). This word doesn't have strong emotional undertones but is associated with frugality and community interactions, especially in rural areas where bartering is common. Secondary translations aren't typically needed here, as "โหล" is the standard term for this concept.

Usage Overview

In Thailand, "dozen" (or "โหล") is most commonly used in commercial and domestic contexts, such as shopping for groceries, ordering food, or discussing quantities in business. Urban areas like Bangkok might integrate it into modern retail, where it's used interchangeably with Western measurements, while in rural regions like Chiang Mai, it's more traditional and tied to local markets. For instance, Bangkok's fast-paced supermarkets may list items as "per dozen" on labels, whereas in Chiang Mai's night bazaars, vendors might haggle over "โหล" of handmade crafts, highlighting a blend of old and new practices.

Example Sentences

Everyday Conversation

English: I'd like to buy a dozen eggs, please.

Thai: ฉันอยากซื้อไข่โหลหนึ่งครับ/ค่ะ (Chăn yàak séu khài lo nèung kráp/kâ).

Brief Notes: This is a simple, polite phrase perfect for street markets or grocery stores. In Thailand, adding "ครับ" (kráp) for men or "ค่ะ" (kâ) for women shows respect, making interactions friendlier. It's commonly used in daily life to emphasize quantity without overcomplicating things.

Business Context

English: We need to order a dozen boxes for the shipment.

Thai: เราต้องสั่งกล่องโหลหนึ่งสำหรับการส่งสินค้า (Rao dtông sǎng glâung lo nèung sǎm ráb kân sòng sîn khâ).

Usage Context: In a Bangkok business meeting, this might come up when discussing logistics with suppliers. Thai business culture values precision and politeness, so pairing this with a smile or follow-up question can build rapport and avoid misunderstandings.

Practical Travel Phrase

English: Can I get a dozen mangoes for the road trip?

Thai: ได้มะม่วงโหลหนึ่งสำหรับทริปขับรถไหมครับ/ค่ะ (Dâi má-mûang lo nèung sǎm ráb trip kàp rót mái kráp/kâ).

Travel Tip: When bargaining at a Thai fruit stand, especially in tourist spots like Phuket, using "โหล" shows you're familiar with local customs, potentially leading to better prices. Remember, fresh produce is seasonal, so this phrase is ideal during mango season—pair it with a genuine interest in the fruit to connect with vendors.

Related Expressions

Synonyms/Related Terms:

• สิบสอง (sip song) - Use this when you're counting exactly 12 items in a more literal sense, like in recipes or formal lists, rather than for bulk purchases.
• ชุด (chùt) - This means a set or pack, which could imply a dozen in contexts like buying electronics, but it's more flexible for grouped items in everyday Thai shopping.

Common Collocations:

• ไข่โหล (khài lo) - Example: In Thailand, you'll often hear this at markets, like "ไข่โหลละ 60 บาท" (eggs by the dozen for 60 baht), emphasizing affordable bulk buying.
• ผลไม้โหล (pǒm mâi lo) - For instance, at a Chiang Mai fruit stall, a seller might say, "ซื้อผลไม้โหลเพื่อส่วนลด" (buy a dozen fruits for a discount), highlighting how it's used to encourage deals.

Cultural Notes

Thai Cultural Perspective: The concept of "โหล" reflects Thailand's agricultural roots and communal trading traditions. Historically, it stems from ancient measurement systems used in Southeast Asian markets, where buying in dozens made transactions efficient for farmers and traders. In social customs, it's tied to festivals like Songkran, where families might buy "โหล" of water guns or snacks, symbolizing abundance and togetherness. Interestingly, in Thai folklore, numbers like 12 aren't as symbolically charged as in some Western cultures, but they do evoke a sense of practicality and harmony in daily life.

Practical Advice: For foreigners, using "โหล" can make you sound more integrated and respectful of Thai ways, but avoid overusing it in formal settings where exact numbers might be preferred. Etiquette tip: Always smile and use polite particles like "ครับ/ค่ะ" to prevent coming across as abrupt. Common misuses include confusing it with other units like "กิโล" (kilo), so clarify if needed to avoid mix-ups in markets.

Practical Tips

Memory Aid: Think of "โหล" as sounding like "low" in English, and visualize a low-hanging basket of 12 fruits at a Thai market. This auditory and visual link can help you recall both the pronunciation and its everyday use, making it easier to remember during your travels.

Dialect Variations: While "โหล" is widely understood across Thailand, in the Isan region (northeastern Thailand), you might hear slight variations in pronunciation, like a more drawn-out tone, but the word remains consistent. In southern dialects, it's used interchangeably without major changes, so it's a reliable term nationwide.

This entry is designed to be a practical resource for English speakers engaging with Thai culture. If you're preparing for a trip or language studies, practicing these phrases can lead to more authentic interactions. Explore more entries in our English-Thai dictionary for deeper insights!