When you want to say that something is free of charge in Thai, it’s very simple. Just use the English word “ฟรี [free].” The opposite of “ฟรี [free]” is “ไม่ฟรี” [mâi free] or “ต้องเสียตังค์ [tâwng sǐa tang],” of which the literal meaning is “have to pay.”
However, the word “free” can also be used as an idiom together with a verb to imply that one’s effort was made in vain or for nothing. The word “ฟรี [free]” can be repeated to emphasize the meaning, just like other adverbs in Thai. Take a look at the examples below for better understanding.
Examples
1. เต้นแทบตาย น้ำหนักเท่าเดิม เหนื่อยฟรีเลย
[tên tàeb taai, nám nàk tâo derm, neùai free loei]
I danced so much and didn’t lose any weight. I spent all my energy for nothing.
2. ไปทำศัลยกรรมมา แต่กลับน่าเกลียดกว่าเดิม เจ็บตัวฟรีเลย
[pai tam sǎnyagam maa, tàe glàp nâa glìad gwàa derm, jèb tua free loei]
I had a plastic surgery and now I look uglier than before. I went through the pain for nothing.
3. ลอตเตอรี่ไม่เห็นจะน่าซื้อตรงไหน ทำไมมีคนอยากเสียเงินฟรีเยอะจัง
[lottery mâi hěn nâa séu trong nǎi, tammai mii kon yàak sǐa ngern free yér jang]
I don’t think the lottery is worth playing. Why are there so many people willing to spend money in vain?
4. ฉันไม่ยอมปล่อยให้หมาฉันตายฟรีแน่ๆ ต่อไปนี้หมู่บ้านเราจะต้องมีกฎจราจรที่เข้มงวดกว่าเดิม
[chán mâi yorm plòi hâi mǎa chán taai free nâe nâe, tàw pai níi mùu bâan rao jà tâwng mii gòt jaraajorn tîi kêm ngûat gwàa derm]
I won’t let my dog die in vain. From now on, our neighborhood must have more strict traffic rules.
5. ก่อนจะลงมือทำอะไรต้องวางแผนและมีเป้าหมาย ไม่งั้นอาจจะเสียเวลาไปฟรีๆได้
[gàwn ja long meu tam arai, tâwng waang pǎen láe mii pâo mǎai, mâi ngán àadjà sǐa welaa pai free free dâai]
You need to plan things and set goals before taking any action. Otherwise, you may waste time in vain.
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