ถามเค้าดูก็ได

[wasabi]

ถามเค้าดูก็ได, Ask him about it.

In My Thai grammar book they are discussing the use of ดู when it means something is being considered or judged (looked at) I understand this, however I've had an ongoing problem understanding the use of ก็ I believe in this context it means it's alright to. So literally this sentence might mean It's alright to ask what he thinks or get his opinon, alright? But I've seen gaw many other times and it baffles me.

another example

I've talked to my wife about it already

ผมก็คุยๆ กับแฟนดุแล้ว

Why is ก็ used here also?

Edited May 19, 2006 by wasabi

[meadish_sweetball]

ก็ has lots and lots of uses. I don't think it can be explained fully by logic, and ultimately has to be learned by listening and practice.

You can somewhat speed up the process by learning examples out of a grammar book by heart.

In your last example, depending on the preceding context, ก็ can either be seen as a hesitation (fillout) word, or as a mild 'also' referring to what the previous speaker said.

'ถามเค้าดูก็ได้' (note that there should be a mai thoo) on the final word, in my ears has a bit of an annoyed ring to it.. as in 'Just ask him (if you don't believe me)' OR 'Just ask him (he won't mind, no need to 'kreeng jai')'.

...I am sure more proficient people than myself have more to add.

[Neeranam]

gaw can be used at the beginning of a sentnce if you are not sure about your answer or if you disagree with someone.

There are also many expressions like , 'gaw chang', 'gaw dai', 'gaw dee', 'gaw jing', 'gaw laeo', 'gaw laeo ngai'.

Edited May 19, 2006 by Neeranam

[Kathe]

Could be *just* in English ? I'm not sure but it's easier to make more understanding.

Great explanation from Khun Meadish_Sweetball

[Tywais]

...I am sure more proficient people than myself have more to add.

Would be hard to top you meadish so won't even try. I believe the adverb term here ก็ได้ is rather casual such as "all right" "OK" or "fine". Sort of an "up to you" response in some cases. อะไรก็ได้ is an example indicating a similar response as 'whatever you want' or 'we can but don't have to'. Just my feel of it. Funny how easy it is to use but how difficult to explain.

In the other phrase ผมก็คุยๆ it appears to be a pause like in err, uhh in English. Even a Thai ajarn friend of mine says it's difficult to explain so what chance do I have.

[meadish_sweetball]

...I am sure more proficient people than myself have more to add.

Would be hard to top you meadish so won't even try. I believe the adverb term here ก็ได้ is rather casual such as "all right" "OK" or "fine". Sort of an "up to you" response in some cases. อะไรก็ได้ is an example indicating a similar response as 'whatever you want' or 'we can but don't have to'. Just my feel of it. Funny how easy it is to use but how difficult to explain.

Yes, good expansion.

In the other phrase ผมก็คุยๆ it appears to be a pause like in err, uhh in English. Even a Thai ajarn friend of mine says it's difficult to explain so what chance do I have.

It could be the hesitation use just like you say. I *think* it could also be referring back to what a previous speaker said, signalling a 'I hear what you just said...'

'(You know), I've already talked to my boyfriend/girlfriend about it'

So in this particular usage, it sort of has a similar usage to 'it' in English (but of course does not 'mean' the same thing).

[yoot]

ก็ is a handy word which can be used in many meaning.

- Used as the word 'well' in English;

Well, it's you who said that. ก็ คุณไงที่พูดแบบนั้น

- Used before an auxilliary verb to express an idea of possibility or probability;

If you ask him, you might get the answer . ถ้าคุณถามเขา คุณอาจจะได้คำตอบก็ได้ (คุณก็คงได้คำตอบ)

- Used before the predicate of the principle clause of a complex sentence after a conditional clause, then;

If you don't allow me to go, then I quit. ถ้าคุณไม่อนุญาตให้ผมไป งั้นผมก็ขอลาออก

- Used between a noun clause and its predicate, meaning quite;

What you are trying to explain, is quite make sense. ที่คุณกำลังอธิบายอยู่นี่ ฟังดูก็สมเหตุสมผลดี

- Used in the meaning of still, yet, nevertheless;

I asked him for several time, yet he respond me at all. ฉันถามเขาตั้งหลายครั้ง แต่เขาก็ไม่ตอบกลับเลย

- Used before the predicate of the principle clause of a complex sentence after a time-clause, subsequently, afterwards;

You have to finish this job afterward report me too. คุณต้องทำงานนี้ให้เสร็จ แล้วก็รายงานให้ผมรู้ด้วย

ก็ได้ - All right, O.K. permission is given. adv. possibly, it may be.

ก็ช่าง - never mind.

ก็คง - probably.

ก็ดีเหมือนกัน - fine, okay.

ก็ตาม - accordingly.

อย่างไรก็ตาม - however

ก็ถูก, ก็ถูกต้อง - quite correct

ก็แล้วแต่ - no matter. e.g. คุณจะทำอะไรก็แล้วแต่ คุณต้องรับผิดชอบ - No matter what you do, you have to be responsible.

[wasabi]

Very nice response everyone. Yoot where did you gather this information, did you make these examples yourself?

[yoot]

Very nice response everyone. Yoot where did you gather this information, did you make these examples yourself?

Well, for information, I got it from somewhere I forgot but I noted it down in my notebook. And examples I just made it while I was typing the reply. I hope it makes sense for you guys.