เพลา
time [archaic or literary]
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- 1 time [archaic or literary]、occasion [archaic or literary]
This is an old-fashioned, literary word for the time or occasion when something happens or should be done. In everyday Thai, เวลา is normally used instead.
time [archaic or literary]、occasion [archaic or literary]
It refers to the time or fitting occasion for an event or action, with an old-fashioned and elevated tone.
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ณ เพลานี้ ná phee laa níi at this time ณ เพลานี้ details
Learning notes
Explanation
With this pronunciation, เพลา means “time,” but it is not the usual word for time in modern conversation. It occurs mainly in folktales, historical fiction, period dramas, poetry, and ceremonial or elevated writing. It often presents a particular moment as the appointed or fitting time for something, as in ถึงเพลาแล้ว, “The time has come.”
Usage
It is mainly used in folktales, historical narratives, period-drama dialogue, poetry, and ceremonial or solemn writing. In casual speech, using it deliberately can sound theatrical, playfully archaic, or grandiose.
Caution
The same spelling has other meanings—such as “axle,” “leg,” and “to reduce”—when pronounced differently. With the pronunciation phee laa, only the meaning “time” applies. Do not substitute it mechanically for everyday เวลา. Modern expressions for clock time, duration, or having available time normally require เวลา or another ordinary time expression.
Differences from similar words
1 time [archaic or literary] synonyms
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กาล is a literary word for time or an era and frequently occurs in compounds and set expressions. เพลา is especially associated with old-fashioned statements that the time for an event or action has arrived.
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เวลา is the standard modern word for time, clock time, and the time available for an activity. เพลา has an archaic, elevated tone and is not normally used in everyday conversation.