กี่โมงแล้ว
gee mong laew
The phrase "what time is it?" in Thai is translated as กี่โมงแล้ว (gee mong laew).
กี่โมงแล้ว is a standard, common way to ask for the time in everyday conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "how many o'clock already?" The word กี่ means "how many".
Which one should you use?
You may encounter the variation เวลากี่โมงแล้ว? which translates to "What time is it already?" and serves as an informal way to ask the same question.
How do you pronounce it?
gee mong laew
Did you know?
- In Thai, time is often measured using a 6-hour cycle rather than the standard 12-hour clock used in English. Depending on the time of day, you might switch between different sets of words for 'o'clock' to reflect morning, afternoon, or night.
- Thai culture often uses relative time markers, such as 'just a moment' or 'a little while', more frequently than specific clock times in casual social arrangements. This can sometimes make asking 'what time is it?' feel less urgent than in Western cultures.
- The word นาฬิกา, used in formal time-telling, actually means both 'clock' and 'hour'. This creates a linguistic overlap where the object and the measurement are identical.
Examples in context
- ขอถามเวลาหน่อยครับ/ค่ะMay I ask for the time, please?
- เวลากี่โมงแล้ว?What time is it already?
- กี่โมงแล้ว?What time is it?
- กรุณาบอกเวลาหน่อยครับ/ค่ะCould you please tell me the time?
- ขอโทษครับ กี่โมงแล้วkho thot khrap ki mang laeoExcuse me, what time is it?
- ตอนนี้กี่โมงแล้วton ni ki mang laeoWhat time is it right now?
Example conversation
Pimol asks Chonsit for the time at a cafe.
- พิมล Pimonชลสิทธิ์ กี่โมงแล้วChonsit ki mang laeoChonsit, what time is it?
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitตอนนี้บ่ายสองโมงแล้วครับton ni bai song mong laeo khrapIt is two in the afternoon now.
- พิมล Pimonขอบคุณค่ะkhop khun khaThank you.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitยินดีครับyin di khrapYou're welcome.
