นั้น
that
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 that、those
- 3 as for ...、the ... in question
This word points to something already known from context or somewhat removed from the speaker. It usually follows a noun and means “that” or “those,” and in context it can refer to “that thing” or “that matter.”
that、those
Placed after a noun or classifier, it identifies a person, thing, place, or idea as “that” or “those.”
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หนังสือเล่มนั้น nǎŋsʉ̌ʉ lêm nán that book หนังสือเล่มนั้น details
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คนนั้นเป็นครู khon nán pen khruu That person is a teacher. คนนั้นเป็นครู details
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ร้านนั้นอร่อยมาก ráan nán arɔ̀ɔy mâak That restaurant is very good. ร้านนั้นอร่อยมาก details
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ทำไมถึงโกรธขนาดนั้น thammay thʉ̌ŋ kròot khanàat nán Why are you that angry? ทำไมถึงโกรธขนาดนั้น details
as for ...、the ... in question
After a noun phrase or clause, it can mark the preceding part as the topic being discussed. This use is common in more formal or written Thai.
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คนที่จะประสบความสำเร็จนั้น ไม่ใช้เวลาให้สูญเปล่า khon thîi cà prasòp khwaam sǎmrèt nán mây cháy weelaa hây sǔun plàaw People who succeed do not waste time. คนที่จะประสบความสำเร็จนั้น ไม่ใช้เวลาให้สูญเปล่า details
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สมมุติฐานนั้นไม่ถูกต้อง sǒmmútì thǎan nán mây thùuk tɔ̂ŋ That hypothesis is not correct. สมมุติฐานนั้นไม่ถูกต้อง details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of นั้น is “that one already identifiable from context” or “that one over there.” In Thai it follows the noun or classifier, as in หนังสือเล่มนั้น, “that book.” Common patterns include อันนั้น for “that one,” คนนั้น for “that person,” เรื่องนั้น for “that matter,” and ตอนนั้น for “at that time.”
Usage
It is used when pointing out people, objects, places, or previously mentioned topics. Learners will meet it often in everyday chunks such as เรื่องนั้น, ตอนนั้น, แบบนั้น, and หลังจากนั้น.
Caution
Unlike English “that,” นั้น normally comes after the noun or classifier. When saying “that” by itself in conversation, นั่น or อันนั้น is often more natural.
Differences from similar words
1 that synonyms
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นี้ means “this” and points to something near the speaker or current in the conversation. นั้น means “that” and points to something more distant or already mentioned.
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โน้น points to something farther away, like “that over there.” นั้น is broader and can refer to something already identifiable from context, even if distance is not the main point.
3 as for ... synonyms
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ก็ can also pick up a topic or connect ideas, but it is broader and more conversational. นั้น more clearly sets up the preceding noun phrase as the topic, especially in formal explanation or writing.