ทีหลัง
thee-lang
The Thai word for "later" is ทีหลัง (thee-lang).
ทีหลัง is used to indicate that an action will occur at a subsequent point in time relative to the current moment or a previously mentioned event.
Meaning: afterward in time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of ที (thee), a classifier/particle for time or occasion and หลัง (lang), meaning "behind" or "after". Literally, it means "at a later time".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Thai, ทีหลัง typically functions as an adverb and is often placed at the end of a clause or sentence to modify the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
thee-lang
Did you know?
- The word หลัง is also the word for 'back' (the body part), showing how Thai links the concept of 'after/behind' with the physical anatomy.
- While English speakers use 'later' as a casual goodbye, Thais do not use ทีหลัง for this. Instead, they use แล้วเจอกัน (laew joe kan), which means 'then meet again'.
- While ทีหลัง means 'later', Thais often use the word เดี๋ยว (diao) to express a 'shortly' or 'soon' version of later. In casual speech, เดี๋ยว can be so vague that it may imply the action might not happen at all.
Examples in context
- ผมจะโทรหาคุณทีหลังI'll call you later.This sentence is useful for saying you will call someone later.Tatoeba #10101454 by Somsak, translation #71680 by CK
- เดี๋ยวฉันอธิบายทีหลังI'll explain later.This sentence is useful for saying you will explain something later.Tatoeba #8669095 by pastelite, translation #1879840 by Spamster
- เราจะจบเรื่องนี้ทีหลังWe'll finish this later.This sentence is useful for saying you will finish something later.Tatoeba #10289281 by Somsak, translation #3312149 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nicha and Witthawat are discussing a project at work.
- ณิชา Nichaเรามาคุยเรื่องรายละเอียดกันทีหลังนะคะrao ma khui rueang rai la-iat kan thi lang na khaLet's discuss the details later.
- วิทวัส Witthawatได้ครับ ตอนนี้ผมยุ่งมากdai krap ton ni phom yung makSure, I am very busy right now.
- ณิชา Nichaงั้นเจอกันตอนบ่ายนะคะngan joe kan ton bai na khaThen I'll see you in the afternoon.
- วิทวัส Witthawatตกลงครับ แล้วเจอกันครับtok long krap laew joe kan krapAgreed, see you then.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
