Superstition
The word superstitious is an adjective. It is used to describe a person or a situation where someone believes in supernatural powers that might bring good or bad luck. For example, many Thai people believe that cutting your hair on a Wednesday can bring bad luck. Because of this, many avoid getting haircuts on Wednesdays. These people are superstitious about haircuts. Another example is that some Thai people are also superstitious about people who die in violent accidents; they might believe that if a person dies violently, their spirit could become a ghost in the afterlife. The noun form of this word is superstition, which refers to the actual beliefs that superstitious people hold. For instance, if your friend believes in something that seems strange to you, you might say, "Come on, that's just a superstition! Nobody can prove that." This is often said by people who are not superstitious.
Considered
The word considered is a verb (past participle form, often used with "is/are"). It means to believe something or to be thought of in a certain way. For example, in Thailand, the number 13 is often considered (believed to be) an unlucky number. That's why in many hotels, you might see floor number 12A instead of 13. Even though there's no science to prove floor 13 is dangerous, it's a strong belief held by some people. Here, "is considered" means "is believed." Another example is that, “Somchai is considered a very kind student by his teachers,” meaning his teachers believe he is kind. Considerate is an adjective. It means being careful not to offend, harm or inconvenience others. For example, "Jaonai was very considerate while he spoke with the girl who lost her sister."
Endurance
Endurance refers to the ability to keep going through a difficult or unpleasant situation without giving up. It is a noun, and its verb form is "endure." Think about Thai athletes who run marathons like the Bangkok Marathon, or who train in Muay Thai. When an athlete is described as having great endurance, it means they can endure the pain and discomfort of long training and competitions; they can keep going even when it's hard! Learning English also takes endurance; sometimes grammar is difficult, but you must endure and keep practicing!
Reputation
The word reputation is a noun. It means the beliefs and opinions that people have about someone or something. For example, many people in Thailand know Pun as a fantastic badminton player, which means Pun has a reputation for being a good player; people believe she is good at it! Another example is that famous schools in Thailand, like Suankularb Wittayalai Thonburi School, have a strong reputation for producing excellent high school graduates, as people have formed a positive opinion about these schools over a long time. To build a reputation takes time, as people watch and observe someone or something for a while before they form their opinions. Be careful. Reputation can be tarnished. This means that it can be destroyed.
Misfortune
A misfortune is simply bad luck. This word is a noun. For example, imagine training very hard for a school competition, like a debate contest, and then losing in the final round; for some, this might be considered a misfortune. Another example is if a family's home is damaged by a sudden flood or a fire, this would be a great misfortune. Some people might believe that such serious bad luck is caused by spirits or fate, things individuals cannot control.
Omen
The word omen refers to a sign that something bad (or sometimes good) is about to happen. It is a noun, and it's often associated with misfortune. For example, in Thai culture, some people believe that the sound of a gecko calling can be an omen; if it calls in a certain way, it might be a sign of future bad luck. Another example is that some people believe that animals behaving strangely, or unusual weather patterns, can be omens of future events; for instance, a very dark sky in the middle of the day might be seen as an omen of a coming storm.
Enterprise
An enterprise is a project, a task, or especially a business venture that one sets out to do. It is a noun. For example, starting a new business, like opening a coffee shop in Bangkok or creating a new online clothing brand, is an enterprise. Another example is when Thai students finish Mattayom 6, they often begin their journey to university; starting university life and pursuing a degree is also like beginning a new enterprise—a big personal project!
Assign
The word assign is a verb. It means to give someone a specific task, number, or duty. For example, your English teacher might assign you homework, which means they give you a specific task to do; this is why "assignment" is a common word in schools! The noun form is "assignment." In a football team, players are assigned numbers, like number 9 for the striker or number 1 for the goalkeeper. In many Thai schools and hotels, buildings and rooms are assigned numbers; for example, room 147 might mean Building 1, Floor 4, Room 7. This system of assigning numbers helps everyone find places easily!
Omitted
To omit means to leave out or exclude something. It is a verb. For example, if your teacher tells you to omit sentences 3 and 4 from your paragraph, it means you should not include them; you should skip them. Another example is that when you fill out a form online, sometimes you might omit some information if it's not required. In its past tense, you would say, "He omitted key details from his story.” The word omission is a noun. It refers to the act of excluding something. For instance, you can say, "Teacher, I believe there is an omission in the paper. Number 3 is missing."
Persisted
The word persist is a verb. It means to continue doing something even when it's difficult or you face problems. For example, learning English can be challenging; some sounds are difficult to pronounce, or grammar rules can be confusing. But if an English student persists in studying, they will eventually improve! The noun form of this word is "persistence," which refers to the quality of continuing to do something despite difficulties. For instance, "Her persistence in learning English helped her to pass the exam with flying colours," which means her strong effort and refusal to give up helped her succeed. Another example is that the small plant persisted in growing through the crack in the concrete, showing its amazing strength.
Conclusion
Now that you have learnt some new words, try to use them in your writing and speaking tasks. Remember the saying, if you don’t use it, you will lose it. Next time when you are given a writing or speaking task, try to use these words - your teacher will be impressed!
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