ถ้า
if
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 if、if ... then、when [conditional]
ถ้า is a conjunction used to set a condition or assumption, much like “if” in English. It links a possible situation with what happens or should happen in that case.
if、if ... then、when [conditional]
Introduces a condition and connects it to a result, decision, or action.
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ถ้าหิวก็กิน thâa hǐw kɔ̂ɔ kin If you’re hungry, eat. ถ้าหิวก็กิน details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of ถ้า is setting a condition. The basic pattern is ถ้า + condition + result. The result part often includes ก็, as in ถ้า...ก็..., meaning “if ..., then ...,” but ก็ is not required. In conversation, ถ้างั้น is very common and means “then” or “in that case”; it comes from ถ้า + อย่างนั้น, “if so.”
Usage
Use ถ้า in everyday conversation, planning, requests, advice, explanations, rules, and warnings whenever one idea depends on a condition: if someone is free, if it rains, if something is needed, or if a situation turns out a certain way.
Caution
ถ้า normally needs a condition after it. For polite requests, fixed softening phrases such as ถ้าสะดวก “if it’s convenient” and ถ้าไม่รบกวน “if it’s not too much trouble” sound natural.