เข็ญ

kěn

Meanings

1NounC1

hardship; misery; destitution

a state of great poverty, suffering, or distress; severe hardship.

Examples

3 more examples
2AdjectiveC1

poor; destitute; wretched

very poor or in great hardship; wretched. Often seen in compounds like 'ยากเข็ญยากเข็ญyâak-kěn1destitute; in severe hardship2hard-pressed; in dire straits'.

Examples

3 more examples

Tones

See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.

How the tone is decided

  1. Consonant classHigh class
  2. Tone markNo tone mark
  3. Syllable endingLive syllableEnds in -ญ, a sonorant, so it is live.

High class consonants

ขฃฉฐถผฝศษสห

Result

Rising tone

kěn

Dips low first, then rises clearly.

High class + No tone mark + Live syllable → Rising

Tone chart

Every class and spelling pattern, with this syllable outlined.

Mid classHigh classLow class
No mark + liveMidRisingMid
No mark + dead shortLowLowHigh
No mark + dead longLowLowFalling
Mai ekLowLowFalling
Mai thoFallingFallingHigh
Mai triHigh——
Mai chattawaRising——