Conjunction 'Lae' (And)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'lae' (และ) to connect two nouns, phrases, or clauses just like the English word 'and'.
- Connect two nouns: 'A lae B' (A and B). Example: 'mae lae phor' (mother and father).
- Connect two phrases: 'Verb phrase 1 lae Verb phrase 2'. Example: 'kin khao lae du nang' (eat rice and watch movie).
- Formal usage: 'lae' is often used in writing; in casual speech, 'laew kor' is common.
Meanings
The conjunction 'lae' functions as the primary way to link two equivalent items or actions.
Noun Connector
Joining two entities.
“suea lae kang-keng (shirt and pants)”
“ma lae maew (dog and cat)”
Action Connector
Joining two sequential or simultaneous actions.
“rian lae tham-ngan (study and work)”
“pai thiao lae kin (go travel and eat)”
Lae Usage Structure
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | A + lae + B | maew lae ma |
| Verb | V1 + lae + V2 | kin lae non |
| Adjective | Adj1 + lae + Adj2 | suay lae dee |
| Phrase | Clause 1 + lae + Clause 2 | chan pai lae khao ma |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | A + lae + B | chan lae khun |
| Combined Action | V1 + lae + V2 | rian lae tham-ngan |
| Combined Adjectives | Adj1 + lae + Adj2 | dee lae thuk |
| Formal | Formal A + lae + Formal B | phom lae khun |
| Negative | Not A + lae + Not B | mai kin lae mai non |
| Question | A + lae + B + mai? | khun lae chan pai mai? |
| Short Answer | A lae B | chan lae khun |
フォーマル度スペクトル
phom lae khun (Introduction)
chan lae khun (Introduction)
rao lae ter (Introduction)
rao-rao (Introduction)
Lae Connections
Nouns
- maew cat
- ma dog
Verbs
- kin eat
- non sleep
Examples by Level
chan lae khun
I and you
maew lae ma
Cat and dog
nam lae khao
Water and rice
phom lae mae
I and mother
chan kin khao lae du nang
I eat rice and watch a movie
khao suay lae jai dee
She is beautiful and kind
rian lae tham-ngan
Study and work
suea lae kang-keng
Shirt and pants
phom tong-kan suea lae kang-keng
I want a shirt and pants
khao phut phasa thai lae phasa ang-krit
He speaks Thai and English
ban ni yai lae sa-ard
This house is big and clean
khun mae lae khun phor
Mother and father
khao tham-ngan nak lae phak-phon noi
He works hard and rests little
ra-ba-bai ni dee lae mee pra-sot-thi-phap
This system is good and efficient
khao pai thiao lae su khong-fhak
He went traveling and bought souvenirs
chan chop an nang-sue lae fang phleng
I like reading books and listening to music
khao mee khwam-sam-ret lae khwam-suk
He has success and happiness
ra-ba-bai ni mee khwam-sab-son lae tong-kan kan-kae-khai
This system is complex and needs fixing
khao pen khon thi mee khwam-ru lae mee pra-sob-kan
He is a person who has knowledge and experience
kan-tham-ngan pen thim lae kan-sue-san
Teamwork and communication
khao dai-rap kan-yom-rap lae kan-san-soen
He received recognition and praise
khao pen phu-nam thi mee khwam-kla lae khwam-met-ta
He is a leader who has courage and compassion
kan-phat-thana ni mee khwam-sam-khan lae khwam-yung-yak
This development has importance and complexity
khao dai-rap khwam-ru lae khwam-khao-jai
He received knowledge and understanding
Easily Confused
Both can translate to 'and' in some contexts, but 'kab' is 'with'.
Both connect ideas.
Learners sometimes mix up conjunctions and question words.
よくある間違い
chan kab khun
chan lae khun
lae chan kin
chan kin lae...
chan lae khun pai
chan lae khun pai
kin lae
kin lae...
chan lae khun lae khao
chan, khun, lae khao
lae-lae
lae
khun lae chan
khun lae chan
lae-wa
lae
lae-ni
lae
lae-tee
lae
lae-laew
lae
lae-yang
lae
lae-kor
lae
lae-pai
lae
Sentence Patterns
___ lae ___
___ lae ___
___ lae ___
___ lae ___
Real World Usage
Pad Thai lae nam
pai lae na
phom mee thak-sa lae pra-sob-kan
chan lae phuean
suea lae kang-keng
khwam-ru lae khwam-khao-jai
Keep it simple
Don't use for 'with'
Formal writing
Casual speech
Smart Tips
Use 'lae' only before the last item in a list.
You can omit 'lae' and just pause.
Always use 'lae' instead of 'laew kor'.
Use 'lae' to connect adjectives.
発音
Tone
Lae has a falling tone.
Listing
A, B, lae C
Rising intonation on items, falling on lae.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Lae is like a glue stick; it sticks two things together.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant glue stick labeled 'LAE' connecting a cat and a dog.
Rhyme
Use 'lae' to connect, it's what you expect.
Story
I went to the store. I bought an apple. I bought a pear. I said: 'I bought an apple lae a pear.'
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write 5 sentences today using 'lae' to connect two things you see in your room.
文化メモ
Thai people often omit 'lae' in casual speech, preferring to list items with pauses.
Lae is a native Thai word used for centuries.
Conversation Starters
What do you like to eat?
Who is coming?
What are your hobbies?
Describe your city.
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
chan ___ khun
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
chan kab khun pai (I and you go).
lae / chan / khun
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Formal 'and'
rian ___ tham-ngan
Find and fix the mistake:
lae chan kin khao.
Score: /8
練習問題
8 exerciseschan ___ khun
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
chan kab khun pai (I and you go).
lae / chan / khun
Cat and dog
Formal 'and'
rian ___ tham-ngan
Find and fix the mistake:
lae chan kin khao.
Score: /8
よくある質問 (8)
No, 'lae' is a conjunction that must connect two things.
Yes, it is standard and formal.
'Kab' means 'with', 'lae' means 'and'.
Yes, but usually only before the last item.
No, 'lae' does not change.
It is perfectly fine, though 'laew kor' is also common.
No, it is gender-neutral.
No, it is a very consistent particle.
In Other Languages
y
Spanish changes 'y' to 'e' before 'i' sounds; Thai does not.
et
French has complex liaison rules; Thai does not.
und
German has strict syntax; Thai is more flexible.
to
Thai uses 'lae' for both.
wa
Arabic 'wa' is often attached to the next word.
hé
Chinese 'hé' is strictly for nouns; Thai 'lae' is broader.
