งั้น
then
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- 1 then、in that case、otherwise
- 2 like that、that way
A casual conversational word used either to move forward from what was just said (“then” or “in that case”) or to refer back to a way of doing, saying, or thinking something (“like that”).
then、in that case、otherwise
It takes the preceding statement or situation as a basis and introduces the resulting decision, suggestion, or action.
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งั้นไปกันเถอะ ŋán pay kan thə̀ Then let's go. งั้นไปกันเถอะ details
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งั้นเจอกันพรุ่งนี้นะ ŋán cəə kan phrûŋníi ná All right, see you tomorrow. งั้นเจอกันพรุ่งนี้นะ details
like that、that way
It refers back to a previously mentioned or apparent way of acting, speaking, or thinking, meaning “like that.”
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อย่าทำงั้นสิ yàa tham ŋán sì Don't do that. อย่าทำงั้นสิ details
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พูดงั้นได้ยังไง phûut ŋán dâay yaŋ ŋay How can you say that? พูดงั้นได้ยังไง details
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ถ้าคิดงั้นก็ไม่เป็นไร thâa khít ŋán kɔ̂ɔ mây pen ray If that's what you think, that's fine. ถ้าคิดงั้นก็ไม่เป็นไร details
Learning notes
Explanation
งั้น is a very common conversational shortening of อย่างนั้น, “like that” or “in that way.” Its most frequent use is to respond to something just said and move the conversation toward a decision, suggestion, alternative, or next action. In this role, it often corresponds to “then,” “in that case,” or “all right, then.” It can also follow verbs such as ทำ (do), พูด (say), and คิด (think) to mean “like that” or “that way.” The common expression ถ้างั้น makes the conditional relationship more explicit and means “if so” or “in that case.”
Usage
It is common in everyday conversation and informal messages with friends, family, and familiar coworkers. Speakers use it after hearing new information to make a decision, offer an alternative, suggest the next step, or close a conversation. It also refers back to the way someone acts, speaks, or thinks.
Caution
งั้น is distinctly conversational. In formal writing, อย่างนั้น, ถ้าอย่างนั้น, or ถ้าเช่นนั้น is usually more appropriate. It does not always mean “if”; use ถ้างั้น when the conditional meaning needs to be explicit. Do not confuse it with นั่น, which points to a thing or place (“that” or “there”).
Differences from similar words
1 then synonyms
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ถ้าอย่างนั้น explicitly means “if that is the case.” งั้น is shorter and more casual, and often works naturally as a conversational “then” or “in that case.”
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มิฉะนั้น is a formal, mostly written equivalent of “otherwise.” งั้น can also mean “otherwise” in context, but it belongs mainly to casual conversation.