บ่าย
afternoon
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 afternoon、early afternoon
This everyday word refers to the afternoon, especially the earlier part of it, after noon and before late afternoon or evening.
afternoon、early afternoon
It denotes the part of the day after noon, with a particular association with roughly 1–3 p.m.
Learning notes
Explanation
บ่าย is the standard everyday word for the afternoon, particularly the earlier hours after noon. It commonly appears in expressions such as ตอนบ่าย (“in the afternoon”) and ช่วงบ่าย (“during the afternoon”). In telling time, บ่ายโมง means 1 p.m., บ่ายสองโมง means 2 p.m., and บ่ายสามโมง means 3 p.m. In casual conversation, โมง may be omitted, as in บ่ายสอง or บ่ายสาม. Unlike the label “p.m.,” บ่าย is not normally attached to every hour after noon. In traditional spoken time expressions, it is mainly associated with 1–3 p.m.
Usage
It is commonly used when discussing afternoon plans, appointments, classes, meetings, and business hours. Use ตอนบ่าย or ช่วงบ่าย for a general period and forms such as บ่ายสองโมง for a specific time.
Caution
For 4 p.m., Thai normally uses สี่โมงเย็น rather than บ่ายสี่โมง. Formal announcements and schedules may instead use the 24-hour form, such as 14 นาฬิกา for 2 p.m.