Thai Prepositions of Time: A Comprehensive Overview

Thai prepositions of time are used to specify when an action occurs or an event takes place. These prepositions are an important part of everyday conversations and written communications. Let’s dive into the most common Thai prepositions of time and their equivalent meaning in English.

• ก่อน (gòn): before
• หลัง (lăng): after
• ใน (nai): in, during, within
• เป็นระยะ (pen rá~yá): for (a period of time)
• ตั้งแต่ (dtăng~dtè): from, since
• ถึง (těung): until, up to

Grammar Rules for Utilizing Thai Prepositions of Time

Now that we have outlined the most common Thai prepositions of time, let us discuss how to incorporate them into sentences correctly. You will find that Thai sentence structures may vary from English, so it is crucial to grasp the grammatical rules specific to the Thai language.

In a Thai sentence, the preposition of time is usually placed either before or after the verb, depending on the context. For example, when using the preposition ก่อน (gòn) to express “before,” it will be positioned after the verb. Conversely, หลัง (lăng) and ใน (nai) are typically located before the verb to convey the meanings of “after” and “in,” respectively.

Examples of Thai Prepositions of Time in Sentences

To ensure your understanding, let’s examine some example sentences highlighting the proper usage of Thai prepositions of time.

1. เขาออกจากบ้านก่อนเวลาเจ็ดโมงเช้า (khăo òk jàak bâan gòn wé~laa jet moong cháao): He leaves the house before 7 AM.
2. ผมจะไปสนามบินหลังเลิกงาน (pŏm jà bpai sà~nam bin lăng lêrk ngaan): I will go to the airport after work.
3. เรียนภาษาไทยในวันหยุด (rien paa~săa tai nai wan yòot): Study Thai language in the holidays.
4. พวกเขาพักผ่อนเป็นระยะสองสัปดาห์ (pûak khăo pák pàwn pen rá~yá sŏng sàp~daa): They rested for two weeks.
5. เธอสู้รักษาตั้งแต่คืนนั้น (ter sôo rák~săa dtăng~dtè keun nán): She has been fighting to preserve it since that night.
6. ร้านค้าเปิดถึงตีห้า (ráan kâa bpèrt těung dtii hâa): The shop is open until 5 AM.

Conclusion

Mastering the prepositions of time in Thai grammar is an essential step in achieving fluency in the Thai language. By grasping their meanings, understanding their placement in sentences, and practicing with real-life examples, you will elevate your Thai language skills to new heights.