Thai Word: เก่ง (gèng)

Meaning: is skilled / is talented / is good at / is proficient / is capable
Part of Speech: verb / adjective / adverb

The word เก่ง (gèng) is used to talk about someone’s general ability. It can have several placements depending whether it is being used as a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. When it is used as a stative verb, the word เก่ง (gèng) means ‘to be skilled at’ or ‘to be good at’ something – subject + เก่ง (gèng) + object. Look at the sentence examples below:

(t^hēr gèng k^há-níd-sàad)
She is good at mathematics.
Literal: She skilled at mathematics.

(t^hēr gèng nāi gāan-lên bpīa-nō)
She is good at playing the piano.
Literal: She skilled at the act of playing piano.

(p^hûak-k^hǎo gèng nāi gāan-gâe bpān-hǎa)
They are good at problem-solving.
Literal: They skilled at the act of solving problem.

It can be used as an adjective เก่ง (gèng) to describe that someone ‘is skilful at’ something or ‘is capable of’ doing something, often referring to intelligence or skill in general – subject + เก่ง (gèng). Look at the sentence examples below:

(t^hēr gèng mâak)
She is very skilled.
Literal: She skilled very.

(t^hēr bpēn p^hôo-^hyǐng gèng)
She is a capable woman.
Literal: She to be woman skilled.

(nák-rīan k^hōn née gèng t^hêe-sùd nāi chán-rīan)
This student is the best in the class.
Literal: Student person this skilled the most in class.

The word เก่ง (gèng) can also be used as an adverb meaning ‘well’ when placed after the verb or the phrase indicating action they can perform well – subject + verb + Object + เก่ง (gèng). Look at the sentence examples below:

(t^hēr p^hûud p^hāa-sǎa Thāi gèng)
She speaks Thai well.
Literal: She speak language Thai well.

(t^hēr t^hām āa-hǎan gèng)
She cooks well. (or She is good at cooking.)
Literal: She make food well.

(k^hǎo wàad rûub gèng)
He draws well. (or He is good at drawing.)
Literal: He draw picture well.

(t^hēr jàd-gāan wāy-lāa k^hǎwng-t^hēr dâi gèng mâak)
She manages her time well.
Literal: She manage time belonging to-her well very.

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With all my heart, 💛 — Urai