Daily Thai Confidence — Using ประสบความสำเร็จ (bprà-sòb khwāam-sǎm-hrèd)

Verb: ประสบความสำเร็จ (bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd)
Meaning: to succeed / to achieve success / to be successful

In this Thai lesson, we learn how to use the noun ประสบความสำเร็จ (bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd), which means ‘to succeed,’ ‘to achieve success,’ or ‘to be successful’. It is used to when someone reaches a goal, completes something successfully, or achieve a desired outcome. The verb ประสบ (bprà-sòb) means ‘to encounter,’ ‘to experience,’ or ‘to meet with’, and the abstract noun ความสำเร็จ (k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd) means ‘success’. Together, they form a verb phrase ‘to be successful’ and does not need an object.

The typical structure usually follow the pattern: subject + ประสบความสำเร็จ (bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd) (+ complement — a clause or a phrase that completes the meaning of the verb).

For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-^awyàang chên)

k^hǎo bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd nāi gāan-rīan p^hāa-sǎa Thāi
Literal: He encounter success in the action of learning language Thai.
He succeed in learning Thai

The preposition ใน (nāi) means ‘in’ and is used to introduce the noun phrase การเรียนภาษาไทย (gāan-rīan p^hāa-sǎa Thāi = learning Thai). Together, they form a prepositional phrase that explains in which area the subject เขา (k^hǎo = he) experienced success.

t^hēr bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd jàak k^hwāam-p^há-yāa-yāam k^hǎwng-t^hēr
Literal: She encounter success from effort belonging to-her.
She achieved success through her effort.

nák-rīan ^hlǎai k^hōn bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd p^hrót p^hûak-k^hǎo mâi yāwm p^háe
Literal: Student many person encounter success because they not accept defeat.
Many students succeed because they don’t give up.

The clause นักเรียนหลายคนประสบความสำเร็จ (nák-rīan ^hlǎai k^hōn bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd = Many students succeed) is already complete without the ‘because-clause’. However, the speaker provides addition information about why the subject succeeds by adding adverbial clause of reason, which is introduced by the conjunction เพราะ (p^hrót = because). The adverbial clause of reason พวกเขาไม่ยอมแพ้ (p^hûak-k^hǎo mâi yāwm p^háe = they don’t give up) explains why the subject นักเรียนหลายคน (nák-rīan ^hlǎai k^hōn = many students) ประสบความสำเร็จ (bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd = succeed). This clause is optional and adds explanation, rather than completing the verb.

^hlǎai k^hōn ^awyàak bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd dtàe p^hûak-k^hǎo mâi ^awyàak rêuhm lōng-mēu t^hām
Literal: Many people want to encounter success but they not want start down-hand do.
Many people want to succeed but they don’t want to start taking action.

The clause หลายคนอยากประสบความสำเร็จ (^hlǎai k^hōn ^awyàak bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd = Many people want to succeed) is structurally complete on its own. The speaker then introduces a contrast by using the conjunction แต่ (dtàe = but). The contrasting clause พวกเขาไม่อยากเริ่มลงมือทำ (p^hûak-k^hǎo mâi ^awyàak rêuhm lōng-mēu t^hām = they don’t want to start taking action) explains what they do not want to do. Together, the two main clauses are linked by the conjunction แต่ (dtàe = but) to highlight the contrast between wanting success and being unwilling to take action.

Practise putting your newly learned Thai word into a sentence by translating the following sentences below.

1. Many students want to succeed in learning Thai.
2. She works hard because she wants to succeed.
3. If you study every day, you will succeed.
4. They succeeded because they did not give up.
5. Not everyone who starts a business succeeds.

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Urai Khomkham

Hi, I’m Urai Khomkham, a Thai language teacher and the creator of Thai Language Tuition UK. I help learners understand how Thai really works, so they can stop guessing and start feeling confident using the language in real life. Inside the community, I share clear lessons, practical explanations, and gentle guidance to support steady, meaningful progress — without pressure or overwhelm. I also share free Thai lessons and learning tips on my YouTube channel, where I break things down step by step and help you build strong foundations at your own pace. By subscribing, you’re not only supporting your own learning — you’re also helping me continue creating free resources to support you and other learners on their Thai journey.

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