ศาลาชุมนุม

[andytan23]

I am confused between the word ดุ and the word ด่า. I was told that ดุ implies 'teaching/giving a lesson' while ด่า could give a slight implication of vulgarness and inappropriateness, คุณครูดุนักเรียน and แกด่าฉัน.
But I think the explanation above is kinda vague. Can anyone give me a better explanation?
Your help is much appreciated.

[David and Bui]

I'll take a shot --

ดุ ก. ว่ากล่าวหรือทักท้วงด้วยความโกรธหรือไม่พอใจเพราะมีความผิด
หรือไม่อยู่ในโอวาทเป็นต้น (from RID)
To reprimand, censure, or rebuke in an angry manner or to express dissatisfaction because, for example, someone had erred or had slipped out of one’s control.
Probable English equivalents: scold admonish, castigate, reprove

ด่า ก. ใช้ถ้อยคำว่าคนอื่นด้วยคำหยาบช้าเลวทราม (from RID)
To use words to reprimand someone using vicious and detestable language.
Probable English equivalents: curse, verbally abuse, vilify, criticize, attack.

Some dictionaries even contain an entry for the combination word “ดุด่า” which I guess wraps around both concepts. Here is Lexitron’s and So. Sethaphutra’s sample sentence:

เขาถูกดุด่าเพราะมาสาย
He was reprimanded for coming late.

Some other sentences:

ถ้าคุณไม่มา คุณจะต้องถูกดุ
If you don’t attend, you will be castigated (So. Sethapuntra)

พอเขาตาย เขาก็ถูกด่า
He was reviled as soon as he died.

ผมต้องด่าตัวเองที่อ่อนแอ
I had to curse myself for being weak.

Just conjecture here, but how about this for an explanation: ดุ is criticizing someone for what he or she did; ด่า criticizes someone for what they are.

[andytan23]

Thank you so much for your explanation, it's very helpful and informative.
However, I still have one question. Are those words used interchangeably in the daily conversations or are they not?

[Pirin]

1. ดุ, ดุด่า, ดุด่าว่ากล่าว = admonish, reprove, rebuke, reprimand

2. ด่า = bawl somebody out, dress somebody down, give somebody dressing-down, curse

ดุ, (ดุด่า, ดุด่าว่ากล่าว) and ด่า convey different meanings and connotations.