ถึง
tʉ̌ng/tʰɯŋ˩˩˦/
In Thai, the word for 'to' is ถึง (tʉ̌ng).
The word ถึง is used to express reaching a destination or a specific point in a sequence.
Meaning: in the direction of, and arriving at (prep)
Which one should you use?
While ถึง can mean 'to' in the sense of reaching a destination, เพื่อ is used specifically to express purpose or 'in order to'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb หมาย (to mean) combined with ถึง (to/at) forms the compound verb หมายถึง, which means 'to mean' or 'to refer to'. The verb คิด (to think) combined with ถึง (to/at) forms the compound verb คิดถึง, which means 'to miss' or 'to think of' someone.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is tʉ̌ng and the IPA is /tʰɯŋ˩˩˦/.
Did you know?
- While ถึง usually means 'to arrive', it can also be a loanword from Teochew meaning 'hot' or 'to heat up'.
- The word ถึง can also mean 'to contact' or 'to reach' in the context of communication, such as reaching someone via a letter or a phone call.
- If you are talking about the concept of 'reaching' a point in a sequence of events, you use ถึง rather than a word for physical travel.
Examples in context
- นับถึงสิบCount to ten.This sentence shows how to use ถึง when counting to a specific number.Tatoeba #8723133 by pastelite, translation #2245241 by CK
- คุณหมายถึงใครTo whom are you referring?This sentence uses the compound verb หมายถึง to show how 'to refer to' is constructed.Tatoeba #7784207 by pastelite, translation #472131 by witbrock
- ฉันจะคิดถึงทอมI'm going to miss Tom.This sentence uses the compound verb คิดถึง to express the feeling of missing someone.Tatoeba #7879117 by pastelite, translation #1890990 by CK
- เราจะไปถึงไทยในวันพรุ่งนี้We will arrive in Thailand tomorrow.
- ไปห้องน้ำทางซ้ายGo to the restroom on the left-hand side.
- มาที่บ้านผมคุยกันสักครู่Come to my house, let's chat for a while.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing travel plans in the office.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatคุณจะเดินทางไปถึงเชียงใหม่เมื่อไหร่ครับkhun cha doen thang pai thueng chiang mai muea rai khrapWhen will you arrive in Chiang Mai?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinฉันจะไปถึงพรุ่งนี้ตอนเช้าค่ะchan cha pai thueng phrung ni ton chao khaI will arrive tomorrow morning.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatเดินทางปลอดภัยนะครับdoen thang plot phai na khrapHave a safe trip.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinขอบคุณค่ะkhop khun khaThank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ถึง, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ถึง, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
