เบาๆ
bao baoMeanings
1AdverbA2
gently; softly; quietly; lightly; slightly; mildly
In a way with little force, volume, intensity, or degree; gently, softly, or slightly.
Examples
ช่วยchûuaiช่วยchûuai1[to] help; assist [sb/sth]2please (request marker)3[to] save; rescue [sb]พูดpôotพูดpôot1[to] speak; talk2[to] say; speak3[to] tell; talk aboutเบาๆbao baoเบาๆbao bao1gently; softly; quietly; lightly; slightly; mildly2casually; in a relaxed way; not too seriouslyหน่อยnòiหน่อยnòi1a little; a bit2polite softener (request)ค่ะkâค่ะkâ1polite particle (female, statement)2polite particle (female, short response)
Please speak softly.
3 more examplesShow less
He knocked on the door gently twice.
Mom stroked my head gently before bed.
ฝนfŏnเริ่มrêrmตกdtòkปรอยๆbproi bproiลงมาlong maaเบาๆbao baoทำให้tam hâiบรรยากาศban-yaa-gàatดูdooเหงาngăo
The rain started to drizzle down lightly, making the atmosphere seem lonely.
2AdverbB1
casually; in a relaxed way; not too seriously
(Colloquial) In a casual, relaxed, or low-key manner; not intensely or seriously.
Examples
เย็นนี้yen néeเย็นนี้yen née1this evening2this evening's (as a modifier)ไปหาbpai hăaไปหาbpai hăa1[to] go see [sb]; [to] visit [sb]2[to] go look for [sb/sth]; [to] seek [sth]อะไรà-raiอะไรà-rai1what2what; what kind of (modifier)3something; anything (unspecified)4what? (interjection of surprise/confusion)กินกันgin ganกินกันgin gan1[to] eat together2[to] match; harmonize; go together3[to] sleep together; [to] have sex (slang)เบาๆbao baoเบาๆbao bao1gently; softly; quietly; lightly; slightly; mildly2casually; in a relaxed way; not too seriouslyไหมmăiไหมmăi1yes–no question particle; or not?2silk
Want to go grab a casual bite to eat this evening?
3 more examplesShow less
วันหยุดwan yùtนี้néeไม่ได้mâi dâaiไปไหนbpai năiไกลglaiแค่kâeนั่งชิลล์nâng chilที่têeคาเฟ่kaa-fêhแบบbàepเบาๆbao bao
I'm not going far this holiday, just chilling at a cafe in a casual way.
ปาร์ตี้bpaa-dtêeวันเกิดwan gèrtปีนี้bpee néeขอkŏrจัดjàtแบบbàepเบาๆbao baoชวนchuanแค่kâeเพื่อนสนิทpêuuan sà-nìtไม่กี่mâi gèeคนkon
For my birthday party this year, I want to keep it low-key, inviting only a few close friends.
ตอนแรกdton râekกะว่าgà wâaจะjàคุยkuiเรื่องrêuuangนี้néeกันganเบาๆbao baoแต่dtàeไปbpaiๆ-มาmaaๆ-กลับกลายเป็นglàp glaai bpenประเด็นถกเถียงbprà-den tòk tĭiangใหญ่โตyài dtoh
At first, we intended to just discuss this matter casually, but somehow it turned into a major debate.
Tones
See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.
Why is เบาๆ said เบา-เบา?
bao bao
Thai spelling does not always show how a word sounds. This is how it is said.
The tone rules below use the spoken syllables.
2 syllables · pick one to see its rule
How the tone is decided
- Consonant classMid class
- Tone markNo tone mark
- Syllable endingLive syllableThe vowel เ-า hides a final -ว, so it is live.
Mid class consonants
กจฎฏดตบปอ
Result
Mid tone
bao
Level, in your normal speaking voice.
Mid class + No tone mark + Live syllable → Mid
Tone chart
Every class and spelling pattern, with this syllable outlined.
| Mid class | High class | Low class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No mark + live | Mid | Rising | Mid |
| No mark + dead short | Low | Low | High |
| No mark + dead long | Low | Low | Falling |
| Mai ek | Low | Low | Falling |
| Mai tho | Falling | Falling | High |
| Mai tri | High | — | — |
| Mai chattawa | Rising | — | — |