แล้ว
already
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- 1 already、have done、now be
- 2 then、and then、so
This common word marks a reached point: an action has been completed, a new state now holds, or the discourse moves on to what happens next.
already、have done、now be
Placed after a verb or state expression, it marks a completed event or indicates that a new state now applies.
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กินข้าวแล้ว kin khâaw lɛ́ɛw I've already eaten. กินข้าวแล้ว details
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งานเสร็จแล้ว ŋaan sèt lɛ́ɛw The work is finished. งานเสร็จแล้ว details
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ลูกโตแล้ว lûuk too lɛ́ɛw The child is grown up now. ลูกโตแล้ว details
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ดึกแล้ว dʉ̀k lɛ́ɛw It's late now. ดึกแล้ว details
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กินข้าวแล้วหรือยัง kin khâaw lɛ́ɛw rʉ̌ʉ yaŋ Have you eaten yet? กินข้าวแล้วหรือยัง details
then、and then、so
It links what came before to the next action, development, topic, or question.
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กินข้าวแล้วไปทำงาน kin khâaw lɛ́ɛw pay thamŋaan Eat, then go to work. กินข้าวแล้วไปทำงาน details
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เขาอ่านข้อความแล้วหัวเราะ khǎw àan khɔ̂ɔ khwaam lɛ́ɛw hǔarɔ́ He read the message and then laughed. เขาอ่านข้อความแล้วหัวเราะ details
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แล้วเกิดอะไรขึ้น lɛ́ɛw kə̀ət aray khʉ̂n So what happened? แล้วเกิดอะไรขึ้น details
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แล้วคุณล่ะ lɛ́ɛw khun là And what about you? แล้วคุณล่ะ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of แล้ว is reaching a boundary and moving beyond it. Depending on its position, that boundary may be the completion of an action, the beginning of a new state, or the transition to the next event or topic. After a verb, it can mark completion, as in กินแล้ว, “have already eaten.” After a state expression, it often means that the state now applies, as in ดึกแล้ว, “it is late now,” or เป็นผู้ใหญ่แล้ว, “is an adult now.” แล้ว is not simply a past-tense marker. Thai verbs do not change form for tense, and แล้ว primarily expresses completion or a change of state. It can therefore refer to a future completion, as in ถ้ากินแล้วโทรมานะ, “Call me when you have finished eating.” Between two actions, the pattern V1 + แล้ว + V2 presents them in sequence. At the beginning of a clause, it can pick up the preceding discussion and move it forward, as in แล้วเกิดอะไรขึ้น, “So what happened?” The very common pattern V + แล้วหรือยัง asks whether something has been done yet.
Usage
It is used constantly in everyday speech to report that eating, work, or another activity is complete and to indicate changes in time, age, or circumstances. It is also common when narrating actions in order, moving a conversation forward, or asking whether someone has done something yet. It occurs in both spoken and written Thai.
Caution
Do not treat แล้ว as a universal past-tense marker. A past event does not necessarily require it when completion or a resulting state is not the focus. Conversely, with จะ it may describe something imminent, as in จะถึงแล้ว, “almost there.” Be careful with แล้วไง. Depending on tone, it can sound like “So what?” rather than a neutral request to continue.
Differences from similar words
1 already synonyms
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เรียบร้อย suggests that something has been properly and successfully completed. แล้ว is broader and can simply mark completion or the arrival of a new state.
2 then synonyms
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จึง introduces a resulting action or consequence and is more common in careful or written language. แล้ว is more conversational and can simply link successive actions or developments.