ตลอด
all the time
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 all the time、the whole time、continuously
- 2 throughout、during all of、all through
- 3 all along
ตลอด describes something continuing without a break from the beginning to the end of a time, place, or range. Its core idea is “throughout” or “all the way through.”
all the time、the whole time、continuously
Used after a verb or clause to show that an action or state continues without stopping, often meaning “the whole time” or “all the time.”
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ฝนตกตลอด fǒn tòk talɔ̀ɔt It has been raining the whole time. ฝนตกตลอด details
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เขายิ้มตลอด khǎw yím talɔ̀ɔt He smiles all the time. เขายิ้มตลอด details
throughout、during all of、all through
Placed before a time period or event to mean that something happens throughout that entire period.
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ตลอดทั้งวัน talɔ̀ɔt tháŋ wan all day long ตลอดทั้งวัน details
all along
Used for physical space, especially roads, lines, or routes, to mean that something extends or continues all along that space.
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มีร้านอาหารตลอดทาง mii ráan aahǎan talɔ̀ɔt thaaŋ There are restaurants all along the way. มีร้านอาหารตลอดทาง details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core meaning of ตลอด is continuity from beginning to end with no gap. It is most often used with time, as in ตลอดทั้งวัน “all day,” ตลอดคืน “all night,” and ตลอดเวลา “all the time.” After a verb or clause, it can mean that something keeps happening or is always the case. With places or routes, it means “all along,” as in ตลอดทาง. The fixed expression ตลอดไป means “forever” or “from now on,” and is common with feelings, promises, and memories.
Usage
Use ตลอด in everyday speech when saying that something lasted the whole time, such as waiting all along, being busy all day, or someone always doing something. It is also useful for travel or routes with ตลอดทาง “all along the way.” In messages, songs, and emotional statements, ตลอดไป means “forever.” In formal writing, ตลอดจน is used to add items in a list.
Caution
ตลอดเวลา is strong, close to “constantly” or “all the time.” If you only mean “often,” บ่อย is usually more natural. Also, ตลอด does not mean something merely happened once during a period; it suggests continuation throughout the whole span.
Differences from similar words
1 all the time synonyms
2 throughout synonyms
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ระหว่าง means “during” and can simply locate something within a time period. ตลอด means “throughout,” so it implies coverage of the whole period.
3 all along synonyms
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ทั่ว means “all over” or “throughout” in a broad, spread-out sense. ตลอด is more about continuity from one end of a route, line, or span to the other.