Thailand Culture

In order to learn Thai Language, it is important to learn Thai Tenses. Thai tenses indicating time in the Thai Language is often considered simpler than in western languages because there are no verb conjugations. Instead, Thai tense markers in the Thai Language are used to indicate if the action is in the past, present or future.

Learn Thai Language: Common Thai present tense

• กำลัง (Gum Lung) + verb

When using the Thai word ‘Gum Lung’ after an action verb, you are indicating that the action is being done at the present time. For example,

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  • กำลังทำ (Gum Lung Tum) = doing
  • กำลังอ่าน (Gum Lung Aarn) = reading
  • กำลังวิ่ง (Gum Lung Wing) = running

• Verb + อยู่ (Yuu)

When using the Thai word ‘Yuu” after an action verb, you are indicating that you are in the middle of doing the action right now. For example,

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  • ทำอยู่ (Gum Lung Tum) = (I am) doing now
  • อ่านอยู่ (Gum Lung Aarn) = reading now
  • วิ่งอยู่ (Gum Lung Wing) = running now

Learn Thai Language: Common Thai future tense

• จะ (Ja) + verb

When the Thai word ‘Ja’ is put before an action verb, you are indicating that you will do the action in the future. In the Thai Language, using ‘Ja’ just means that action will be done in the future but it does not specify when in the future. Usually, in the Thai Language, more words are added to specify when the action will be done such as ‘next week’ or ‘tomorrow’. Examples of the use of this Thai future tense are:

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  • จะทำ (Ja Tum) = will do
  • จะอ่าน (Ja Aarn) = will read
  • จะวิ่ง (Ja Wing) = will run

Learn Thai Language: Common Thai past tense

• Verb + แล้ว (Laew)

When using the Thai word ‘Laew’ after an action verb, you are indicating that you have done the action. The action is in the past and already happened. Usually, in the Thai Language, more words are added to specify when the action will be done such as ‘next week’ or ‘tomorrow’. Examples of the use of this Thai pasttense are:

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  • กินแล้ว (Gin Laew) = already ate,ate
  • ทำแล้ว (Tum Laew) = already done, did
  • อ่านแล้ว (Aarn Laew) = already read, read
  • วิ่งแล้ว (Wing Laew) = already run, ran

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