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Thai

ก่อนหน้า

Components

ก่อน
หน้า

Pronunciation

kɔ̀ɔnnâa

before

Native recording

Analyzing pitch…

  1. 1 before、prior to
  2. 2 previous、earlier、preceding

This word means being or happening before a reference point in time, events, or sequence. It can describe something earlier, previous, or prior to something else.

1

before、prior to

Preposition⭐️3 Common

Used before a noun or clause to mark that something happens or exists before a reference point.

2

previous、earlier、preceding

Adjective⭐️4 Often used

Used after a noun to describe it as previous or earlier in a time order, event sequence, page, chapter, or list.

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Learning notes

Explanation

ก่อนหน้า combines the idea of “before” with a reference point. It is useful when you want to say that something is earlier than a specific time, event, page, chapter, or item in a sequence. Common fixed forms include ก่อนหน้านี้ “before this / previously” and ก่อนหน้านั้น “before that.”

Usage

It is common when explaining timelines, previous events, work history, reports, lessons, documents, and interface labels such as “previous page.”

Caution

Do not use it for physical location meaning “in front” or “the front side”; use ข้างหน้า or ด้านหน้า instead. For “in the past” in casual speech, เมื่อก่อน is often more natural.

Differences from similar words

1 before synonyms

  • ก่อน is the basic, broad word for “before.” ก่อนหน้า is clearer when there is a specific reference point and you mean “before that/it.”

  • ล่วงหน้า means “in advance,” often for preparation or notice. ก่อนหน้า simply marks that something is earlier than a reference point.

2 previous synonyms

  • ที่แล้ว often means “last” relative to now, as in “last Monday.” ก่อนหน้า can refer to something previous relative to a stated point in a text, timeline, or sequence.

Component words

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