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Formal words

While in Thai

“While” in Thai is ขณะที่kà-nà-tîi; you'll also hear ในขณะที่nai kà-nà-tîi (formal).

ขณะที่ kà-nà-tîi

while, as (formal) conjunction

  • kà low
  • nà low
  • tîi falling
  • Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
  • Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
ในขณะที่ nai kà-nà-tîi

while; whereas conjunction formal

  • nai mid
  • kà low
  • nà low
  • tîi falling
  • Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
  • Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”

How to use it

ขณะที่kà-nà-tîi means "while, at the moment when", for two things happening at once. ในขณะที่nai kà-nà-tîi can also set two things against each other, like "whereas". Signs often use plain ขณะkà-nà: ขณะขับรถkà-nà kàp rót, while driving.

In conversation Thais say ตอนที่dtawn-tîi or ระหว่างที่rá-wàang tîi: ตอนที่รอรถdtawn-tîi raw rót, while I was waiting for a ride.

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:

  • khana thi
  • kana tee
  • nai khana thi

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)

  • จึง jueng Therefore

    so, therefore (before the verb of the result)

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