กลางคืน
glaang-kʉʉn/klaːŋ˧.kʰɯːn˧/
The English word 'night' is translated into Thai as กลางคืน (glaang-kʉʉn). If unsure, use กลางคืน. Wiktionary also lists คืน (kʉʉn) and ราตรี (raa-dtrii).
Meaning: period between sunset and sunrise (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| กลางคืน | glaang-kʉʉn | /klaːŋ˧.kʰɯːn˧/ |
| คืน | kʉʉn | /kʰɯːn˧/ |
| ราตรี | raa-dtrii | /raː˧.triː˧/ |
The term refers to the period between sunset and sunrise. You can use the phrase ทั้งคืน to specifically mean 'all night long'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word กลางคืน is composed of กลาง, meaning 'middle' and คืน, meaning 'night/return', literally translating to 'the middle of the night'.
Which one should you use?
While กลางคืน refers to the general period of darkness, คืน is used as a noun or classifier when counting nights or referring to a specific night, such as 'three nights'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced glaang-kʉʉn.
Did you know?
- The word คืน is not just a noun for 'night', it is also a verb meaning 'to return'.
- The formal word ราตรี actually comes from the Sanskrit word rātri, showing the historical influence of Indian languages on Thai.
- The word ราตรี appears in the titles of many romantic songs and luxury hotels to evoke a more elegant atmosphere than กลางคืน.
Examples in context
- ผมรอมาทั้งคืนI've been waiting all night.This sentence shows how to express waiting 'all night' using คืน.Tatoeba #10567585 by Somsak, translation #2359314 by CK
- สุนัขเห่าทั้งคืนThe dogs barked all night.This sentence demonstrates the use of คืน to describe an action happening 'all night'.Tatoeba #10277381 by Somsak, translation #1550026 by miflhanc
- เราพบกันในคืนนั้นWe met that night.This sentence illustrates using คืน to refer to a specific night.Tatoeba #8669472 by pastelite, translation #2648262 by CK
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their travel plans at a cafe.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanตอนกลางคืนอากาศเย็นไหมคะton klang khuen a-kat yen mai khaIs the weather cool at night?
- วิทวัส Witthawatกลางคืนที่นี่อากาศดีมากครับklang khuen thi ni a-kat di mak khrapThe weather is very good at night here.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanแล้วมีที่เที่ยวตอนกลางคืนไหมคะlaeo mi thi thiao ton klang khuen mai khaAnd are there any places to visit at night?
- วิทวัส Witthawatมีตลาดนัดตอนกลางคืนครับmi ta-lat nat ton klang khuen khrapThere is a night market.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “night” translations and entries กลางคืน, คืน, ราตรี, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries กลางคืน, คืน, ราตรี, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
