Two different words to say return in Thai are กลับ (klàp) and คืน (khɨɨn). Let’s see how they are used in different contexts.
กลับ (klàp)
กลับ (klàp) is used when you are back or return to a place where you were before. This word is equivalent to the word back in the phrasal verbs come back or go back.
Structure(1) : noun + กลับ (klàp) + a place
– khun ca klàp bâan máy.
– Will you return (be back) home?
– mɨ̂a-khɨɨn kháw mây klàp rooŋ-rææm. kháw nɔɔn thîi baa.
– Last night he did not return to the hotel. He slept at the bar.
Structure(2) : noun + กลับไป (klàp pay) + a place
– phǒm ca klàp pay hǎa khun pii nâa.
– I will go back to see you next year.
– khun ca klàp pay rooŋ-rian máy.
– Will you go back to school?
Structure(3) : noun + กลับมา (klàp maa) + a place
– kháw ca mây klàp maa lǽæw.
– She will not come back anymore.
– phǒm mây khít wâa kháw ca klàp maa.
– I do not think he will come back.
คืน (khɨɨn)
คืน (khɨɨn) is used when returning something to where it was from or to someone who has given it.
Structure(4) : เอา (ʔaw) + something + ไป (pay) or มา (maa) + คืน (khɨɨn) + a place or a person
– wan-níi chán tɔ̂ŋ ʔaw nǎŋsɨ̌ɨ pay khɨɨn hɔ̂ŋ-samùt.
– Today, I need to return a book to the library.
– phǒm ca ʔaw rɔɔŋ-tháaw pay khɨɨn ráan.
– I will return the shoes to the shop.
Structure(5) : คืน (khɨɨn) + something + ที่ (thîi) or ให้ (hây) + a place
– kháw ca khɨɨn kuncææ thîi / hây Condo phrûŋníi.
– She will return the keys at / to the Condo tomorrow.
– chán ca khɨɨn tǔa.
– I will give the ticket back.
Structure(6) : คืน (khɨɨn) + something + [ให้ (hây)] + a person
– mɨ̂arày khun ca khɨɨn ŋən [hây] phǒm.
– When will you return the money to me?
Using คืน (khɨɨn) and กลับ (klàp) together
You may see the words คืน (khɨɨn) and กลับ (klàp) appearing in the same sentence. In this case, คืน (khɨɨn) means to return and กลับ (klàp) means back.
– phǒm ca khɨɨn naalíkaa klàp pay thîi ráan.
– I will return the watch back to the shop.