Both words mean “child(ren)” or “kid(s)” but do you know what the difference is?
The word “เด็ก” [dèk] refers to children in general while “ลูก” [lûuk] is used when you talk about someone’s child(ren). In other words, “ลูก” [lûuk] refers to “a son” or “a daughter.”
Examples:
ลูกคุณเป็นผู้หญิงหรือผู้ชาย
Is your child a girl or a boy?
[lûuk khun pen pûu yǐng rěu pûu chaai]
ผมอยากมีลูกสี่คน
I want to have four children.
[phǒm yàak mii lûuk sìi kon]
เด็กคนนี้น่ารักจังเลย
This child is so adorable!
[dèk kon níi nâarák jang loei]
มิสยูนิเวิร์สมักจะรักเด็ก
Miss Universes generally love children.
[Miss Universe mák jà rák dèk]
In addition, “เด็ก” [dèk] , when functioning as an adjective, can also mean “young” and “ลูก” [lûuk] can also be a classifier for round objects such as fruit or balls.
Examples:
คุณหน้าเด็กจัง
Your face looks young!
[khun nâa dèk jang]
เขายังเด็กไป
He’s too young.
[káo yang dèk pai]
ขอส้มสามลูก
Can I have three oranges?
[kǎw sôm sǎam lûuk]
หยิบบอลลูกนั้นให้หน่อย
Can you pass me that ball?
[yìp bawn lûuk nán hâi nòi]
Find PickupThai's lessons helpful? Feel free to check out our self-developed Thai learning materials "PickupThai Podcast," humor-filled audio lessons based on fun stories that teach you to speak natural-sounding Thai the super fun way unlike any textbook. Learn REAL Thai with us and never sound like a foreigner again. Available for all levels. Try free samples now!
#
Hi, just wondering why, if dek is used for children in general, and luuk for a specific child or children, why do you use dek in the above sentence ‘This child is so adorable’, which is referring to a particular child, not children in general?
Thanks.
#
Hi khun Ross. Thanks for your question. We only use “ลูก” [lûuk] in the context of talking about someone’s child. If not, always use “เด็ก” [dèk], even when you’re talking about a specific child (unless you want to include the information about who that child belongs to). In other words, if you can replace the word “child” with “son” or “daughter,” use “ลูก” [lûuk]. If not, use “เด็ก” [dèk].
เด็กคนนี้น่ารักจังเลย
This child is so adorable!
[dèk kon níi nâarák jang loei]
ลูกคุณน่ารักจังเลย
Your child is so adorable!
[lûuk khun nâarák jang loei]