Chapter 7
Time (way-laa)
Learning how to express and understand time in Thai is crucial for effective communication and navigating daily life in Thailand.Thai people often reference specific time periods with unique expressions (e.g., tûm for nighttime hours). Understanding these expressions helps you adapt to local customs and communicate naturally.
- In Thailand, transportation schedules for buses, trains, and flights are strictly time-based.
- You’ll need to ask or understand when things start, stop, or leave, such as “When does the bus leave?”
- Talking about time helps reinforce key Thai sentence structures, numbers, and vocabulary, which are essential building blocks of the language.
- Avoid miscommunication: Misunderstanding time can lead to confusion or missing important appointments.
- Shows effort: Speaking about time in Thai demonstrates your respect for the language and culture, earning goodwill from locals.
