Daily Thai Confidence — Using คาใจ (khāa jāi)

Verb: คาใจ (k^hāa jāi)
Meaning: still puzzled / still has doubts / still feels uneasy / still wants an explanation

In this Thai lesson, we learn how to use the verb คาใจ (k^hāa jāi). It means to remain in someone’s mind or heart because it has not been resolved or explained. It describes a feeling of lingering doubt, suspicion, or uneasiness about something. When something คาใจ (k^hāa jāi), a person cannot stop thinking about it because they still want an answer or explanation.

The typical structure usually follows the pattern: คาใจ (k^hāa jāi) + clause.

For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-^awyàang chên)

chǎn k^hāa jāi wâa k^hǎo p^hûud k^hwāam-jīng ^hrěu mâi
Literal: I still have doubt whether he speak truth or not.
I still wonder whether he told the truth.

In this sentence, the verb คาใจ (k^hāa jāi) means to feel lingering doubt or uneasiness about something. It indicates that the speaker still has an unresolved question in their mind and cannot fully stop thinking about it. The speaker is unsure whether he told the truth, and this uncertain continues to bother them because the issue has not been clearly resolved.

rêuang née k^hāa jāi chǎn māa nāan láew
Literal: Matter this still puzzled me come long time already.
This issue has been bothering me for a long time now.

In this sentence, the verb คาใจ (k^hāa jāi) means to remain in someone’s mind because it has not been resolved or explained. It expresses a feeling of lingering doubt or uneasiness about something. The speaker is saying that this issue has continued to trouble them mentally for a long time, because they still do not have a clear answer or explanation.

chǎn k^hāa jāi wâa k^hrāi bpēn k^hōn t^hām
Literal: I still want an explanation that who to be person do.
I still wonder who did it.

In this sentence, the verb คาใจ (k^hāa jāi) means to have lingering doubt or an unsolved question about something. It indicates that the speaker still feels uneasy because they do not know who did it, and the question continues to remain in their mind. The speaker wants an explanation, and the lack of a clear answer still bothers them.

hàed-gāan nán yāng k^hāa jāi ^hlǎai k^hōn
Literal: Incident that still puzzled many people.
That incident still troubles many people.

In this sentence, the verb คาใจ (k^hāa jāi) means to leave lingering doubt or uneasiness in someone’s mind. It indicates that the incident has not been fully explained or resolved, and as a result, many people still feel uncertain or disturbed by it. The sentence suggests that the event continues to raise questions or doubts, which is why people cannot easily forget it.

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

1. Do you still feel bothered by that incident?
2. Are you still wondering who did it?
3. Why are you still bothered by that matter?
4. Why are people still bothered by that event?
5. Are you still wondering why she left?

About Post Author

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.

See author's posts