Let’s discover some differences between the word ทำ and ทำให้ (tam and tamhai)
ทำ (tam) to do
we use ‘tam‘ to simply mean to do. Though it can be combined with other words to create another verb such as ทำ + อาหาร (do + food) = to cook or ทำ + งาน (do + work) = to work
Examples:
- I cook Thai food
ฉันทำอาหารไทย
chăn tam aa-hăan tai - I do homework
ฉันทำการบ้าน
chăn tam gaan bâan - I work
ฉันทำงาน
chăn tam ngaan
ทำให้ to make (not as in to build)
When one thing makes another thing a certain way, you will use the word ทำให้ (tamhai).
Examples:
- Homework makes me tired.
การบ้านทำให้ฉันเหนื่อย
gaan bâan tam hâi chăn nèuay - I make my younger sibling cry.
ฉันทำให้น้องร้องให้
chăn tam hâi nóng róng hâi - You make me happy
คุณทำให้ฉันมีความสุข
kun tam hâi chăn mee kwaam sùk
The difference between ทำ and ทำให้ (tam and tamhai) is an issue I noticed a lot of new students mix up. I hope my article helped you understand the difference.