Daily Thai Confidence: Using ซ่อมแซม (sâwm-sāem)

Verb: ซ่อมแซม (sâwm-sāem)
Meaning: to repair / to fix / to mend

In this Thai lesson, we learn how to use the verb ซ่อมแซม (sâwm-sāem), which means “to repair,” “to fix,” or “to mend.” It is a verb used when repairing something that is damaged, broken or no longer in good condition. It often refers to repairing buildings, objects or things that need to be restored to their original condition.

For example (ตัวอย่างเช่น – dtūa-^awyàang)

• ซ่อมแซมบ้าน (sâwm-sāem bâan) = to repair a house
• ซ่อมแซมถนน (sâwm-sāem t^hà-^hnǒn) = to repair a road
• ซ่อมแซมอาคาร (sâwm-sāem āa-k^hāan) = to repair a building
• ซ่อมแซมรถ (sâwm-sāem ród) = to repair a car
• ซ่อมแซมโทรศัพท์ (sâwm-sāem t^hō-rá-sàb) = to repair a phone
• ซ่อมแซมเครื่องซักผ้า (sâwm-sāem k^hrêuang-sák-p^hâa) = to repair a washing machine
• ซ่อมแซมความเสียหาย (sâwm-sāem k^hwāam-sǐa-hǎai) = to repair

In everyday conversation, the verb ซ่อมแซม (sâwm-sāem) is often shortened to ซ่อม (sâwm), particularly when talking about repairing objects, vehicles or household items. Both words are correct, but ซ่อม (sâwm) is generally the more natural and common choice in everyday conversation. The verb ซ่อมแซม (sâwm-sāem) is also useful to recognise, particularly in written Thai or when discussing repairs and restoration in a more formal context.

The typical structure usually follows the pattern: subject + ซ่อมแซม (sâwm-sāem) + something.

For example (ตัวอย่างเช่น – dtūa-^awyàang)

เราต้องซ่อมแซมบ้านก่อนที่จะย้ายเข้าไปอยู่

rāo dtâwng sâwm-sāem bâan gàwn t^hêe-jà yáai k^hâo bpāi ^awyùu
Literal: We need to repair house before intended to move enter go to be located.
We need to repair the house before moving in.

บริษัทกำลังซ่อมแซมถนนในบริเวณนี้

bāw-rí-sàd gām-lāng sâwm-sāem t^hà-^hnǒn nāi bāw-rí-wāen née
Literal: Company in the process of repairing road in area this.
The company is repairing the road in this area.

หลังจากเกิดน้ำท่วม รัฐบาลต้องซ่อมแซมอาคารหลายแห่ง

^hlǎng jàak gèud nám-t^hûam, rád-t^hà-bāan dtâwng sâwm-sāem āa-k^hāan ^hlǎai hàeng
Literal: After from born water-overflow, government have to repair building several location.
After the flooding, the government had to repair several buildings.

ช่างกำลังซ่อมแซมเครื่องจักรที่เสีย

châng gām-lāng sâwm-sāem k^hrêuang-jàk t^hêe sǐa
Literal: Technician in the process of repairing machinery that broken.
The technician is repairing the broken machinery.

Practice Exercise (แบบฝึกหัด – bàeb fèuk-hàd)

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

1. We spent a lot of money repairing the old house.
2. They plan to repair this house next year.
3. The school needs funding to repair the old building.
4. The technician spent two days repairing the machinery.
5. The company is repairing the electrical system inside the building.