39. The meaning of a word as used in a compound may be quite different from the 'basic' meaning learned by the student. In these cases the student will find the compound difficult to understand. An example of this is hǔukrapǎw (ear bag) 'handle of a bag (suitcase, etc.).'
40. The way that Thai words are put into categories differs from English. For example, wheat, corn, millet, oats, and different varieties of rice all contain the word khâaw:
| khâaw | rice, grain |
| khâawnǐaw | glutinous rice |
| khâawfâaŋ | millet |
| khâawsǎalii | wheat |
| khâawphôot | corn |
| khâaw | rice, food, grain |
In a similar fashion, pocket, pouch, purse, handbag, briefcase, glasses case, and suitcase are all considered as (krapǎw). When a number of Thai words are subsumed under one category, the only problem for the student is recognizing what is being referred to.
A more serious problem arises when one English word has many Thai translations. An example is the word 'carry', which is translated according to how things are carried:
1. hǎam: two people carry with a pole between them
2. hàap: two people carry something on a pole on their shoulders
3. hɔ̀ɔp: carry on the arm, like a package
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