There are three common words which mean before in Thai including ก่อน (kɔ̀ɔn), แต่ก่อน (tæ̀æ-kɔ̀ɔn) and เมื่อก่อน (mɨ̂a-kɔ̀ɔn). Let’s learn how to use them correctly. (Read about the word หลัง (lǎŋ) which is the antonym of ก่อน (kɔ̀ɔn)
ก่อน (kɔ̀ɔn) as a conjunction
Use it to connect two sentences to show that a particular event or action happens earlier than another. You can place this word at the beginning of either the first sentence or the second sentence.
Structure(1) : a sentence + ก่อน (kɔ̀ɔn) + a sentence
– phǒm ca ʔàan nǎŋ-sɨ̌ɨ kɔ̀ɔn (phǒm) khâw nɔɔn.
– I will read a book before I get to bed.
– chán cəə kháw thîi sanǎam-bin kɔ̀ɔn kháw bin pay yúròop.
– I met her before she flew to Europe.
– kháw mây-dâay phûut ʔaray kɔ̀ɔn (kháw) pay.
– He did not say anything before (he) left.
Structure(2) : ก่อน (kɔ̀ɔn) + a sentence (space) a sentence
– kɔ̀ɔn (phǒm) khâw nɔɔn, phǒm ca ʔàan nǎŋsɨ̌ɨ.
– Before I get to bed, I will read a book.
– kɔ̀ɔn kháw bin pay yúròop, chán cəə kháw thîi sanǎam-bin.
– Before she flied to Europe, I met her at the airport.
– kɔ̀ɔn (kháw) pay, kháw mây-dâay phûut ʔaray.
– Before he left, he did not say anything.
ก่อน (kɔ̀ɔn) as a preposition
ก่อน (kɔ̀ɔn) used to show that something happens earlier than or ahead of something, someone or a certain time.
Structure(3) : ก่อน (kɔ̀ɔn) + noun
– phanrayaa thɨŋ bâan kɔ̀ɔn phǒm thúk wan.
– My wife arrives home before me every day.
– lêek nɨ̀ŋ maa kɔ̀ɔn lêek sɔ̌ɔŋ.
– Number one comes before number two.
– phûu-chaay khon nán dâay ʔaahǎan kɔ̀ɔn chán.
– That guy got the food before me.
– khun tɔ̂ŋ thoo hǎa chán kɔ̀ɔn hòk mooŋ yen.
– You have to call me before 6.00 pm.
แต่ก่อน (tæ̀æ-kɔ̀ɔn) and เมื่อก่อน (mɨ̂a-kɔ̀ɔn)
These two words mean before in Thai and they are replaceable. They are an adverb for time to show that something happens at an earlier time. Usually say it at the beginning of the sentence.
– tæ̀æ-kɔ̀ɔn kháw tham-ŋaan thîi-nîi.
– Before, he worked here.
– tæ̀æ-kɔ̀ɔn phǒm phûut phaasǎa Thai mây-dâay.
– Before, I could not speak Thai.
– mɨ̂a-kɔ̀ɔn bâan chán mây mii rót.
– Before, my house (my family) did not have a car.
– mɨ̂a-kɔ̀ɔn khun cay-yen kwàa níi.
– Before, you were calmer.