In, On, Under, Between, Behind, and Next to
Prepositions are essential for describing locations and spatial relationships in Thai. In this blog, we’ll explore six key Thai prepositions, provide clear explanations, six example sentences, and practice exercises with answer keys. Plus, we’ll recommend a helpful listening resource to enhance your understanding!
Understanding Thai Prepositions
ใน (nai) – In
Used to indicate something inside a space.
Example: หนังสืออยู่ในกระเป๋า (nǎng-sǔe yùu nai grà-bpǎo)
The book is in the bag.
บน (bon) – On
Used when something is on top of a surface.
Example: โทรศัพท์อยู่บนโต๊ะ (thoo-rá-sàp yùu bon dtó)
The phone is on the table.
ใต้ (dtâi) – Under
Indicates something is beneath another object.
Example: แมวอยู่ใต้เก้าอี้ (maew yùu dtâi gâo-îi)
The cat is under the chair.
ระหว่าง (rá-wàang) – Between
Used when something is in the middle of two objects.
Example: รถอยู่ระหว่างบ้านกับร้านกาแฟ (rót yùu rá-wàang bâan gàb ráan gaa-fae)
The car is between the house and the café.
หลัง (lǎng) – Behind
Describes something at the back of another object.
Example: เด็กอยู่หลังรถ (dèk yùu lǎng rót)
The child is behind the car.
ข้างๆ (kâang-kâang) – Next to / Beside
Used for something adjacent to another object.
Example: โรงเรียนอยู่ข้างๆ วัด (rong-rian yùu kâang-kâang wát)
The school is next to the temple.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence:
(ใน nai, บน bon, ใต้ dtâai, ระหว่าง rá-wàang, หลัง lǎng, ข้างๆ kâang-kâang)
- โทรศัพท์ของฉันอยู่ ___ กระเป๋า
(thoo-rá-sàp khǎawng chán yùu ___ grà-bpǎo)
(My phone is in the bag.) - หนังสือของเขาอยู่ ___ โต๊ะ
(nǎng-sǔe khǎawng kháo yùu ___ dtó)
(His book is on the table.) - แมวซ่อนอยู่ ___ โซฟา
(maew sâawn yùu ___ soo-faa)
(The cat is hiding under the sofa.) - โรงพยาบาลอยู่ ___ โรงเรียนกับห้างสรรพสินค้า
(roong-phá-yaa-baan yùu ___ roong-rian gàb hâang-sàp-phá-sǐn-kháa)
(The hospital is between the school and the shopping mall.) - เด็กๆ เล่นอยู่ ___ บ้าน
(dèk-dèk lên yùu ___ bâan) - (The children are playing behind the house.)
- ร้านกาแฟอยู่ ___ ธนาคาร
(ráan gaa-fae yùu ___ thá-naa-khaan)
(The coffee shop is next to the bank.)
Answer keys
- ใน (nai) – In
- บน (bon) – On
- ใต้ (dtâi) – Under
- ระหว่าง (rá-wàang) – Between
- หลัง (lǎng) – Behind
- ข้างๆ (kâang-kâang) – Next to
Recommended Listening Practice
To improve your listening skills, check out this Spotify episode about Thai prepositions:
🎧 Listen here : https://open.spotify.com/episode/4VGj7LrEpqAkMhasZQTzmi?si=zrCYpFisQUuUYAG0z-q4mw
By combining reading, listening, and practicing, you’ll master Thai prepositions faster! Keep practicing, and soon, describing locations in Thai will feel natural. 😊
Let me know if you need more practice exercises! 🚀
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