midnight
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- 1 midnight、12:00 a.m.
This word refers to midnight, the exact time of 12:00 a.m. when one calendar day changes to the next.
midnight、12:00 a.m.
It denotes the specific time of 12:00 a.m., at the boundary between two calendar days.
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ร้านนี้ปิดก่อนเที่ยงคืน ráan níi pìt kɔ̀ɔn thîaŋ khʉʉn This shop closes before midnight. ร้านนี้ปิดก่อนเที่ยงคืน details
Learning notes
Explanation
เที่ยงคืน is the common, neutral Thai word for midnight, specifically 12:00 a.m. It is formed from เที่ยง, associated with twelve o'clock, and คืน, meaning “night,” giving the literal idea of “twelve at night.” ตอนเที่ยงคืน is a natural way to say “at midnight.” It also appears in expressions such as ก่อนเที่ยงคืน, “before midnight,” and หลังเที่ยงคืน, “after midnight.” Although classified as a noun, it can function directly as a time expression in a sentence.
Usage
It is used when discussing bedtimes, arrival times, business hours, appointments, transportation, or events scheduled around 12:00 a.m. To avoid confusion about the date, speakers often specify the night, as in คืนนี้ตอนเที่ยงคืน, “at midnight tonight.”
Caution
เที่ยง by itself normally means noon, so คืน is required when referring to midnight. Also, กลางคืน means nighttime and กลางดึก means late at night; neither necessarily refers to exactly 12:00 a.m.