three minutes
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- 1 three minutes、a three-minute period
This common expression refers to a duration of three minutes.
three minutes、a three-minute period
It expresses a three-minute amount of time, such as a waiting time, duration, or time remaining.
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ใช้เวลาเพียงสามนาทีเท่านั้น cháy weelaa phiaŋ sǎam naathii thâw nán It only takes three minutes. ใช้เวลาเพียงสามนาทีเท่านั้น details
Learning notes
Explanation
สามนาที is formed from สาม “three” and นาที “minute.” In Thai, the numeral comes before the unit: สามนาที “three minutes,” ห้านาที “five minutes,” and so on. The expression is neutral and commonly used for durations, waiting times, and time remaining. Words placed before it specify the time relationship: อีกสามนาที can mean “three more minutes” or “in three minutes,” ในสามนาที means “in three minutes,” and ภายในสามนาที means “within three minutes.”
Usage
It is commonly used when asking someone to wait, stating how long cooking or a task takes, or indicating the time until transportation arrives or an event begins. It is natural in both everyday conversation and practical instructions.
Caution
สามนาที alone does not specify whether it means a duration, time remaining, or a point three minutes from now. Add words such as อีก “another/in,” ภายใน “within,” or เป็นเวลา “for a period of” when the relationship needs to be explicit. The numeral precedes the unit, so นาทีสาม is not the normal word order.