Signification
Asking to pause an activity.
Contexte culturel
Thai hosts often show hospitality by constantly refilling your plate. Saying 'พอก่อน' is not rude; it's a necessary survival skill to avoid overeating while still being polite. In Thai offices, 'พอก่อน' is often used by seniors to signal the end of a long day, showing they care about their subordinates' well-being. The word 'พอ' is deeply linked to the late King Rama IX's 'Sufficiency Economy' philosophy, which encourages Thais to live within their means and be content. Thais generally dislike direct confrontation. 'พอก่อน' is a strategic way to end a disagreement before it turns into a shouting match.
The Hand Gesture
When saying 'พอก่อน' at a restaurant, a small hand-raise (palm facing the server) makes it much clearer and more polite.
Don't forget the 'Na'
Adding 'นะ' (na) at the end of 'พอก่อน' makes it sound like a friendly suggestion rather than a blunt command.
Signification
Asking to pause an activity.
The Hand Gesture
When saying 'พอก่อน' at a restaurant, a small hand-raise (palm facing the server) makes it much clearer and more polite.
Don't forget the 'Na'
Adding 'นะ' (na) at the end of 'พอก่อน' makes it sound like a friendly suggestion rather than a blunt command.
Greng Jai Power
Use this phrase to show you are 'Greng Jai'. It shows you are aware of the other person's effort and are politely releasing them from it.
Context is King
If you say 'พอก่อน' while looking at your watch, it clearly means 'I'm out of time.'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to say 'Stop working for now.'
ทำงาน____นะ
'พอก่อน' is the correct phrase to indicate stopping an activity for now.
Which phrase is most polite when declining more rice from an elder?
Choose the best option:
Adding 'khrap' makes the phrase polite and appropriate for elders.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are tired of running and want to walk instead.
'วิ่ง' means to run, so 'วิ่งพอก่อน' means stop running for now.
Complete the dialogue.
A: รับกาแฟเพิ่มไหมคะ? (Want more coffee?) B: ________ อิ่มมากแล้วครับ
The context of being full (อิ่ม) requires a phrase to decline more coffee.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesทำงาน____นะ
'พอก่อน' is the correct phrase to indicate stopping an activity for now.
Choose the best option:
Adding 'khrap' makes the phrase polite and appropriate for elders.
Situation: You are tired of running and want to walk instead.
'วิ่ง' means to run, so 'วิ่งพอก่อน' means stop running for now.
A: รับกาแฟเพิ่มไหมคะ? (Want more coffee?) B: ________ อิ่มมากแล้วครับ
The context of being full (อิ่ม) requires a phrase to decline more coffee.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot at all! It's actually a very polite way to set a boundary or take a break, especially if you add 'khrap' or 'kha'.
'พอก่อน' implies a temporary pause (for now), while 'พอแล้ว' implies a final stop (already enough).
Yes, but always add 'khrap/kha' and perhaps a reason, like 'วันนี้ขอพอก่อนนะครับ ต้องไปรับลูก' (I'll stop for today, I have to pick up my child).
Usually, you would say 'จอดที่นี่ครับ' (Stop here) or 'ถึงแล้วครับ' (We've arrived). 'พอก่อน' isn't typically used for driving destinations.
Yes, 'พอเหอะ' (Phor Hoe) is very casual and used among close friends.
Yes, if someone is teasing you, you can say 'พอก่อนๆ' to tell them to stop.
It can, but it's much gentler than the English 'Stop it!'. It's more like 'That's enough of that.'
It's a bit ambiguous. 'พอแล้ว' is much more common for a final breakup.
It's an aspirated 'p', meaning a puff of air comes out. Like the 'p' in 'pie'.
Yes, but in this phrase, it functions more like 'for the time being'.
Expressions liées
พอแล้ว
similarEnough already
พักก่อน
similarRest for now
หยุดก่อน
similarStop first
พอดี
builds onJust right
เพียงเท่านี้
specialized formOnly this much
