Subsequently in Thai

“Subsequently” in Thai is ต่อมาdtàw-maa; you'll also hear จากนั้นjàak-nán (formal) and ภายหลังpaai-lǎng (formal).

ต่อมา dtàw-maa

later, subsequently (in a story) adverb written

dtàw low
maa mid

Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.

จากนั้น jàak-nán

after that, then adverb formal

jàak low
nán high

Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.

ภายหลัง paai-lǎng

later, afterwards (formal) adverb

paai mid
lǎng rising

Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”

How to use it

ต่อมาdtàw-maa, "continuing on", moves a story forward: "later, subsequently". จากนั้นjàak-nán, "from that", is "after that, then", in stories, recipes and directions. ภายหลังpaai-lǎng is "later" in notices: จะแจ้งให้ทราบภายหลังjà jâeng hâi sâap paai-lǎng, we'll let you know later.

In conversation Thais say หลังจากนั้นlǎng jàak nán or แล้วก็láew gâw for "and then", and ทีหลังtii-lǎng for "later".

Other spellings you'll see

There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:

tor ma
to ma
jak nan
chak nan
phai lang

More formal words in Thai

All formal words

การ gaan Kaan (prefix)
-ing, -tion: turns a verb into a noun (the act of …)
ความ kwaam Kwaam (prefix)
-ness (turns a verb or adjective into a noun)
ผู้ pûu Phu (prefix)
person (who …): makes words for people, like -er
นัก nák Nak (prefix)
-er, -ist: someone who does it (as a job or a passion)
ซึ่ง sûeng Who, which (formal)
which, who (adds information; formal, written)
เมื่อ mûea When (formal)
when, once (formal)

Learn Thai with the free course

A complete course from your first phrase to real conversations, with audio for every word and AI speaking practice. Free, no sign-up needed.

Start the free course

Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones