Understanding Time in Thai: A Guide for Learners

Learning a new language is more than memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules; it’s about understanding the culture and nuances of the language. One of the most exciting aspects of learning Thai is understanding how to tell time. While it may seem straightforward initially, the Thai language has a unique way of expressing time that reflects its cultural context and historical influences.

This blog post will explore how time is communicated in Thai and provide the tools you need to master this essential skill.

Time in Thai: Understanding the basics and Thai clock system

To begin with, let’s familiarize ourselves with some basic Thai vocabulary for numbers and the concept of time:

Number (English)	Number (Thai)	Pronunciation (Phonetic)
1	หนึ่ง	nùeng
2	สอง	sǒng
3	สาม	sǎam
4	สี่	sìi
5	ห้า	hâa
6	หก	hòk
7	เจ็ด	jèt
8	แปด	bpàet
9	เก้า	gâo
10	สิบ	sìp
11	สิบเอ็ด	sìp èt

The Thai clock system

The Thai time system is divided into four distinct periods of the day, each with its unique method of telling time. This system can initially seem complicated for learners familiar with the 12-hour or 24-hour clock used in English. However, it becomes much easier to follow once you understand the pattern.

Early Morning (ตี – Dtee)

The early morning hours, from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM, use the word ตี (dtee) followed by the number. This is similar to saying “o’clock” in English but is only used for this early morning period.

• 1:00 AM – ตีหนึ่ง (dtee nùeng)
• 2:00 AM – ตีสอง (dtee sǒng)
• 3:00 AM – ตีสาม (dtee sǎam)
• 4:00 AM – ตีสี่ (dtee sìi)
• 5:00 AM – ตีห้า (dtee hâa)

Morning (โมงเช้า – Moong Chao)

From 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM, time is expressed with โมงเช้า (moong cháo).

• 6:00 AM – หกโมงเช้า (hòk moong cháo)
• 7:00 AM – เจ็ดโมงเช้า (jèt moong cháo)
• 8:00 AM – แปดโมงเช้า (bpàet moong cháo)
• 9:00 AM – เก้าโมงเช้า (gâo moong cháo)
• 10:00 AM – สิบโมงเช้า (sìp moong cháo)
• 11:00 AM – สิบเอ็ดโมงเช้า (sìp èt moong cháo)

Afternoon (บ่ายโมง – Baai Moong)

In the afternoon, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, time is expressed using บ่ายโมง (bàai moong). However, after 1:00 PM, the number associated with “โมง” starts again from one, much like saying “one o’clock” instead of “thirteen o’clock.”

• 1:00 PM – บ่ายโมง (bàai moong)
• 2:00 PM – บ่ายสองโมง (bàai sǒng moong)
• 3:00 PM – บ่ายสามโมง (bàai sǎam moong)

Evening (โมงเย็น – Moong Yen)

From 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, time is expressed using โมงเย็น (moong yen).

• 4:00 PM – สี่โมงเย็น (sìi moong yen)
• 5:00 PM – ห้าโมงเย็น (hâa moong yen)
• 6:00 PM – หกโมงเย็น (hòk moong yen)

Night (ทุ่ม – Thoom)

After 6:00 PM, time is expressed using ทุ่ม (thoom), starting from one again.

• 7:00 PM – หนึ่งทุ่ม (nùeng thoom)
• 8:00 PM – สองทุ่ม (sǒng thoom)
• 9:00 PM – สามทุ่ม (sǎam thoom)
• 10:00 PM – สี่ทุ่ม (sìi thoom)
• 11:00 PM – ห้าทุ่ม (hâa thoom)
• 12:00 AM – เที่ยงคืน (thîiang kheun)

Time Period	Hours (24-Hour Clock)	Thai Expression
Early Morning	1:00 AM – 5:00 AM	ตี (dtee)
Morning	6:00 AM – 11:00 AM	โมงเช้า (moong cháo)
Afternoon	1:00 PM – 3:00 PM	บ่ายโมง (bàai moong)
Evening	4:00 PM – 6:00 PM	โมงเย็น (moong yen)
Night	7:00 PM – 11:00 PM	ทุ่ม (thoom)
Midnight	12:00 AM	เที่ยงคืน (thîiang kheun)
Noon	12:00 PM	เที่ยงวัน (thîiang wan)

Some examples of telling time in Thai

English Time	Thai Expression	Pronunciation (Phonetic)
1:00 AM	ตีหนึ่ง	dtee nùeng
6:00 AM	หกโมงเช้า	hòk moong cháo
12:00 PM	เที่ยงวัน	thîiang wan
1:00 PM	บ่ายโมง	bàai moong
4:00 PM	สี่โมงเย็น	sìi moong yen
7:00 PM	หนึ่งทุ่ม	nùeng thoom
11:00 PM	ห้าทุ่ม	hâa thoom
12:00 AM	เที่ยงคืน	thîiang kheun

Some important points to remember

• Midnight and noon:

เที่ยงคืน (thîiang kheun) is used for midnight (12:00 AM).

เที่ยงวัน (thîiang wan) is used for noon (12:00 PM).

• Minutes: Minutes are expressed using นาที (naa-thii). For example, 6:15 AM is หกโมงเช้าสิบห้านาที (hòk moong cháo sìp hâa naa-thii).
• Half-past the hour: In Thai, ครึ่ง (khrʉ̂ng) is used to indicate “half-past.” So, 6:30 AM would be หกโมงเช้าครึ่ง (hòk moong cháo khrʉ̂ng).
• ‘Past’ and ‘to’ times: Thais often use the words กว่า (gwàa) for “past” and อีก (ìik) for “to.” For example, 10:45 AM can be expressed as สิบเอ็ดโมงเช้าอีกสิบห้านาที (sìp èt moong cháo ìik sìp hâa naa-thii), meaning “fifteen minutes to eleven in the morning.”

How to master telling time in Thai

To master telling time in Thai, it’s crucial to practice regularly. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Listen to Thai media: Tune into Thai radio stations, watch Thai TV shows, or listen to Thai podcasts to get a feel for how native speakers naturally tell time. You can also refer to the Thai learning app to start right from scratch.

Use flashcards: Create flashcards for different times of the day. This can be a fun way to test yourself and reinforce your memory.

Engage in conversations: Use platforms like italki to practice speaking with native Thai speakers. Discuss your daily schedule or ask them about theirs to incorporate time-telling into your conversations.

Daily practice: Make it a habit to tell time in Thai throughout your day. For example, try to read your watch or phone in Thai, think of appointments in Thai, or even change your phone’s time display to Thai!

Learn with a tutor: Personalized lessons with a Thai tutor can help you get a deeper understanding of telling time and the cultural nuances of the language. italki offers a variety of private Thai tutors that can tailor lessons to your specific needs and goals.

A step-by-step guide to booking Thai lessons on italki

Booking Thai lessons online with italki is a straightforward process. Here’s a brief demo to guide you through:

Step 1: Sign Up or Log In

• Visit the italki website or download the italki app.
• If you’re new to italki, click “Sign Up” to create a free account using your email address, Google, Facebook, or Apple ID.
• If you already have an account, simply click “Log In.”

Step 2: Search for a Thai Tutor

• Once logged in, go to the “Find a Teacher” tab on the top menu.
• In the search bar, type “Thai” and select “Thai” as the language you want to learn.
• You can filter tutors by “Native Speaker,” “Price Range,” “Availability,” and other criteria to find the perfect match.

Step 3: Review Tutor Profiles

• Browse through the list of available Thai tutors.
• Click on a tutor’s profile to learn more about their teaching style, qualifications, and student reviews.
• Watch their introduction video to understand their personality and teaching methods.

Step 4: Schedule a Lesson

• Once you’ve found a tutor you like, click the “Book Now” button on their profile.
• Choose a lesson type: A trial lesson (usually 30 minutes and at a discounted rate) or a regular lesson.
• Select your preferred date and time from the tutor’s availability calendar.

Step 5: Confirm Your Booking

• After selecting a time, you will be prompted to confirm your booking.
• Review the lesson details and ensure everything is correct.
• Click “Continue” to proceed to payment.

Step 6: Make a Payment

• Choose your preferred payment method (credit/debit card, PayPal, etc.).
• Complete the payment to finalize your booking.
• You will receive a confirmation email with the lesson details and a reminder closer to the lesson date.

Step 7: Attend Your Lesson

• At the scheduled time, log in to your italki account.
• Go to the “My Lessons” section, where you’ll find a link to join the lesson.
• Click the link to connect with your tutor via italki Classroom or the tutor’s preferred platform (such as Zoom or Skype).

Additional tips to ace Thai lessons at italki

Prepare for your lesson: List topics or questions you want to cover with your tutor.

Review your lesson: After your lesson, take some time to review what you’ve learned and practice any new vocabulary or phrases.

Book regular lessons: Consistency is key in language learning, so book regular lessons to progress steadily.

Frequently asked questions

Q: In Thai, how do you say, “What time is it?”?

A: To ask “What time is it?” in Thai, you say: ตอนนี้กี่โมงแล้ว (dton-níi gèe moong láew)? (This translates to “What hour is it now?” and is a common way to ask for the time).

Q: Do Thais use a 24-hour clock format?

A: Thais typically do not use the 24-hour clock format in daily conversations. The Thai language uses a system that divides the day into four segments (early morning, morning, afternoon, evening, and night) and tells time accordingly. However, the 24-hour format is commonly used in formal or military settings and digital displays.

Q: Are there any cultural tips to remember when telling time in Thai?

A: When discussing time, Thais might emphasize the part of the day (morning, afternoon, evening) more than the exact hour, reflecting a more general approach to time. Being slightly late is often acceptable in casual Thai culture, but punctuality is appreciated in formal settings or business environments. Understanding the Thai time-telling system can also show respect for Thai culture and help build rapport with native speakers.

Conclusion

Understanding how to tell time in Thai is a valuable skill that will significantly enhance your communication ability in everyday situations. While it may seem complex initially, with regular practice and exposure, you’ll find it becomes second nature. Learning a language is a journey, and every small step forward is a step towards greater fluency.

At italki, we believe in the power of personalized learning. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, our community of dedicated tutors is here to help you every step of the way. Start your language learning journey with italki today, and you’ll be telling time in Thai like a pro in no time!