Thai

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Etymology

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Uncertain. Perhaps from extension of Old Khmer sgāla, sgãla, sgal (to know, be acquainted or familiar with), corresponding to Modern Khmer ស្គាល់ (skŏəl).

Compare Modern Khmer សំគាល់ (sɑmkŏəl), សម្គាល់ (sɑmkŏəl, to notice, to take note of; to distinguish, to recognise; mark, sign; etc).

Reborrowed by Modern Khmer as សំខាន់ (sɑmkhan, important; excellent, magnificent; remarkable; exemplary, model; etc).

Compare also Lao ສຳຄັນ (sam khan).

Pronunciation

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Orthographicสำคัญ
s å g ạ ɲ
Phonemic
สำ-คัน
s å – g ạ n
RomanizationPaiboonsǎm-kan
Royal Institutesam-khan
(standard) IPA(key)/sam˩˩˦.kʰan˧/(R)

Adjective

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สำคัญ (sǎm-kan) (abstract noun ความสำคัญ)

  1. distinct; notable; noteworthy; special; remarkable.
  2. chief, key, main, principal; important, significant; first, major, prime.
  3. precious; valuable.

Derived terms

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Noun

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สำคัญ (sǎm-kan)

  1. distinction; mark; sign.

Verb

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สำคัญ (sǎm-kan) (abstract noun การสำคัญ)

  1. to believe, consider, think, or understand, especially groundlessly or incorrectly.
  2. to matter; to signify; to be of importance.
  3. (used negatively or sarcastically) to regard or view as important; to hold in high esteem.
    อย่าสำคัญตัว
    yàa sǎm-kan dtuua
    Don't think too much of yourself!
    เลิกสำคัญตัว
    lə̂ək sǎm-kan dtuua
    Get over yourself! — (literally) Quit thinking too much of yourself!