Learn Thai Like a Local

1. Past tense in Thai words
2. Past tense in Thai grammar
3. Past tense in Thai examples

If we compare tense in English to Thai, there are words in Thai that we use to specify that something happened already in the past. Let’s learn Thai online together on past tense in Thai words, past tense in Thai grammar and past tense in Thai examples through this blog!

Past tense in Thai words

There are a few main words that are used to describe about the past in Thai including:

• Ever in Thai is kooei (เคย).
• Did in Thai is dâi (ได้).
• Already in Thai is láaeo (แล้ว).
• Yet in Thai is yang (ยัง).

After we get to know the past tense in Thai words, let’s take a look at past tense in Thai grammar next.

Past tense in Thai grammar

• How to use the word “kooei (เคย)” for past tense in Thai grammar

Subject + kooei + verb + object/complement

Ever in Thai “kooei (เคย)” is used when you have been to somewhere or have done something and it is put before the verb in past tense in Thai.

• How to use the word “dâi (ได้)” for past tense in Thai grammar

Subject + dâi + verb + object/complement

Did in Thai “dâi (ได้)” is used when you want to emphasize you did something you planned / wanted to do and it is put before the verb in past tense in Thai.

• How to use the word “láaeo (แล้ว)” for past tense in Thai grammar

Subject + verb + object/complement + láaeo

Already in Thai or “láaeo (แล้ว)” is used when you want to say you already did something and it is put after verb or at the end of the sentence.

After you know a bit where to put the past tense in Thai words in sentence structure, let’s take a look at past tense in Thai examples below that you can adapt to use in your daily life.

Past tense in Thai examples

• Have you ever been to Krabi? = kun kooei bpai grà-bìi mái? (คุณเคยไปกระบี่ไหม?)
• Have you ever listened to Thai songs? = kun kooei fang pleeng tai mái? (คุณเคยฟังเพลงไทยไหม?)
• Did you go to the supermarket? = kun bpai supermarket yang? (คุณไปซูเปอร์มาร์เก็ตยัง?)

Note: yang (ยัง) use when you want to say you have not done something yet or use as a question word.

• I went to the supermarket already. = pŏm <dâi> bpai supermarket lâaeo (ผมได้ไปซูเปอร์มาร์เก็ตแล้ว)
• I did not go to the supermarket yet. = pŏm yang mâi dâi bpai supermarket (ผมยังไม่ได้ไปซูเปอร์มาร์เก็ต)

Note: The word “dâi” is not necessary to be added in statement or question sentences when the word to define time is there such as yesterday but it is needed in negative sentences as a phrase “yang mâi dâi + verb (did not … yet) or mâi dâi + verb (did not …)” to tell about the past. 

However, you can build past tense sentences in Thai without these past tense words in Thai when you use the words like yesterday, last week, etc. For example, I went to a market yesterday = chán bpai dtà-làt mûuea-waan (ฉันไปตลาดเมื่อวาน)

And these are what you should know about past tense in Thai words, grammar and examples. If you want to learn Thai online how to speak Thai like a local with fun practice books and an experienced Thai teacher for foreigners, try a trial class with Learn Thai Like A Local and reach your goal to be able to speak Thai fast and fun on a journey of learning Thai together!