Thai Prepositions

These eight words are the connective tissue of the Thai language. If verbs are the engine and nouns are the vehicle, Thai prepositions are the roads and signs that tell you how everything relates to each other.

The 8 Essential Thai Prepositions

1. ที่ (thîi) | At / That / Which

The Logic: “The Pin”

Example:
อยู่ที่ทะเล (yùu thîi thá-lee)
“[I am] at the sea”

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2. กับ (gàp) | With / And

The Logic: “The Glue”

Example:
ไปกับแม่ (bpai gàp mâe)
“Go with mother”

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3. จาก (jàak) | From

The Logic: “The Launchpad”

Example:
มาจากอนาคต (maa jàak a-naa-khót)
“Come from the future”

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4. ถึง (thǔeng) | To / Reach / Until

The Logic: “The Finish Line”

Example:
ไปถึงชายหาด (bpai thǔeng chaai-hàat)
“Arrive at/to the beach”

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5. เพื่อ (phûea) | For (the sake of / purpose of)

The Logic: “The Sacrifice”

Example:
ทำเพื่อเธอ (tham phûea thoe)
“Do [it] for her”

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6. สำหรับ (sǎm-ràp) | For (specifically for)

The Logic: “The Label”
Unlike เพื่อ, this is about suitability or assignment. It’s like a “Reserved” sign.

Example:
สำหรับมือใหม่ (sǎm-ràp mue-mài)
“For beginners”

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7. ตาม (dtaam) | According to / Along / Follow

The Logic: “The Path”
Moving along a line or following a set of instructions or nature.

Example:
ทำตามสัญญา (tham dtaam sǎn-yaa)
“Do according to the promise”

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8. ระหว่าง (rá-wàang) | Between / During

The Logic: “The Gap”
The space or time that separates two points.

Example:
ระหว่างทาง (rá-wàang thaang)
“Between the way” (on the way)

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The Insight: How Thai Prepositions Build Relationships

Thai prepositions function like precise instruments:

• ที่ pins location and identity
• กับ creates partnerships
• จาก and ถึง mark journeys (from → to)
• เพื่อ and สำหรับ both mean “for” but with different logic (sacrifice vs. assignment)
• ตาม ensures alignment with a path
• ระหว่าง bridges gaps in space and time

When combined with position words like left and right and directional concepts like north, south, east, and west, these prepositions let you map any spatial or temporal relationship in Thai.

Explore the Map

See how these prepositions combine with verbs and directional words to create complex Thai expressions:

[ → Explore Thai Words ]