Daily Thai Confidence — Using ละเมิด (lá-mêuhd)

Verb: ละเมิด (lá-mêuhd)
Meaning: to violate / to infringe

In this Thai lesson, we learn how to use the verb ละเมิด (lá-mêuhd), which means ‘to violate,’ ‘to infringe,’ ‘to break rules, rights, or laws,’ or ‘to trespass on someone’s rights or privacy.’ It is used when someone crosses a serious boundary, especially legal, social, or personal ones. It often refers to laws, human rights, personal privacy, and agreements or rules. Think of it as ‘Doing something that is not allowed and harms someone’s rights or boundaries.’

The typical structure usually follows the pattern: subject + ละเมิด (lá-mêuhd) + noun.

For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-^awyàang chên)

การถ่ายรูปโดยไม่ได้รับอนุญาตอาจละเมิดความเป็นส่วนตัว

gāan-t^hàai-rûub dōy mâi dâi ráb à-nú-yâad àad lá-mêuhd k^hwāam-bpēn-sùan-dtūa
Literal: Action of taking photo by not have receive permission may violate privacy.
Taking photos without permission may violate privacy.

The prefix การ (gāan) is used before a verb to turn it into an abstract noun. It is similar to English ending like -ing (learning, reading), -tion (education, violation), or -ment (development). It is used to talk about actions, processes, concepts, or activities. It is like saying ‘the act of doing something’ or ‘the process of doing something’ — การ (gāan) + verb. For example: การเรียนภาษาไทยสำคัญมาก (gāan-rīan p^hāa-sǎa Thāi sǎm-k^hān mâak = Learning Thai is very important.); การทำงานหนักช่วยให้ประสบความสำเร็จ (gāan-t^hām-ngāan ^hnàk chûay hâi bprà-sòb k^hwāam-sǎm-^hrèd = Working hard helps achieve success.); การละเมิดความเป็นส่วนตัวเป็นเรื่องผิดกฎหมาย (gāan-lá-mêuhd k^hwāam-bpēn-sùan-dtūa bpēn rêuang p^hìd gòd-^hmǎai = Violation of privacy is illegal.), etc.

เขาถูกกล่าวหาว่าละเมิดสิทธิของผู้อื่น

k^hǎo t^hùuk glàow-hǎa wâa lá-mêuhd sìd k^hǎwng p^hôo-èun
Literal: He was accuse that violate rights belonging to people-other.
He was accused of violating others’ rights.

The word ถูก (t^hùuk) is often used as a passive marker, similar to English ‘be + past participle’ (was, were, is being). It shows that the subject is receiving an action (not doing it). It implies something happens to the subject, the subject is affected by an action, and often used with negative or neutral events. It is like saying ‘to be subjected to’ or ‘to have something done to you’ — subject + ถูก (t^hùuk) + verb. For example: เขาถูกตี (k^hǎo t^hùuk dtēe = He was hit.); ฉันถูกหลอก (chân t^hùuk ^hlàwk = I was tricked.); เธอถูกจับ (t^hēr t^hùuk jàb = She was arrested.), etc.

เขาถูกจับเพราะละเมิดกฎหมาย

k^hǎo t^hùuk jàb p^hrót lá-mêuhd gòd-^hmǎai
Literal: You should respect rights belonging to people-other.
He was arrested for breaking the law.

The verb จับ (sìd) means ‘to catch,’ ‘to hold,’ or ‘to arrest.’ It depends on context, but it always involves grabbing or taking control of something or someone.

เขาละเมิดกฎของโรงเรียน

k^hǎo lá-mêuhd gòd k^hǎwng rōng-rīan
Literal: He violate rules belonging to school.
He violated school rules.

The noun กฎ (gòd) means ‘rule,’ ‘regulation,’ ‘principle,’ or ‘law-like guideline.’ It refers to a set of instructions or limits that people must follow.

Homework (การบ้าน — gāan-bâan)

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

1. This action violates other people’s rights.
2. He was punished for breaking the law.
3. He violated the artist’s privacy.
4. He violated his colleague’s right.
5. Don’t violate other people’s privacy.

---

About Post Author