How to say ‘from’ using the Thai language
Hi everyone,
Welcome back to our Learn Thai online blog!
Today we will learn how to say From using Thai. In English it is common to use the same word to mean both time and location in Thai this is not possible. This is a common mistake for beginners of Thai language. In Thai we use the words “ตั้งแต่ /dtâng-dtɛ̀ɛ/” and “จาก /jàak/” – let me explain:
The word “ตั้งแต่ /dtâng-dtɛ̀ɛ/” means since or from (for time).
For example:
พวกเขาทำงานที่นี้ตั้งแต่ปีพ.ศ. 2553
/pûak-káo tam-ngaan tîi-nîi dtâng-dtɛ̀ɛ bpii sɔ̌ɔng-pan hâa-rɔ́ɔi hâa-sìp sǎam/
= They have been working here since 2010.
เขาลาพักร้อนตั้งแต่วันจันทร์
/káo laa pák rɔ́ɔn dtâng-dtɛ̀ɛ wan jan /
= She has been on holidays since Monday.
ปกติเราเรียนภาษาไทยตั้งแต่บ่ายโมงถึงสี่โมงเย็น
/bpòk-gà-dtì rao rian paa-sǎa tai dtâng-dtɛ̀ɛ bàai moong tʉ̌ng sìi moong yen/
= Normally we study Thai from 1pm to 4pm.
เธอจะมาพักอยู่กับเราตั้งแต่วันที่ 30 มกรา ถึง วันที่ 10 กุมภา
/təə jà maa pák-yùu gàp rao dtâng-dtɛ̀ɛ wan-tîi sǎam-sìp mók-gà-raa tʉ̌ng wan-tîi sìp gum-paa/
= She will come to stay with us from 30th January until 10th February.
The word “จาก /jàak/” means from (for place).
For example:
ขับรถจากที่นี่ถึงที่นั่น ใช้เวลา 20 นาที
/káp rót jàak tîi-nîi tʉ̌ng tîi-nân chái wee-laa yîi-sìp naa-tii/
= To drive from here to there it takes about 20 minutes.
คุณมาจากประเทศอะไร
/kun maa jàak bprà-têet à-rai/
= What country are you from?
เขาเดินจากบ้านมาที่ทำงานทุกวัน
/káo dəən jàak bâan maa tîi tam-ngaan túk wan/
= He walks from his house to work every day.
= She walks from her house to work every day.
I hope you have learnt something new and that you have enjoyed this blog.
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By Prae
Thai Language Teacher