Signification
Saying goodbye before leaving for work.
Contexte culturel
The particle 'na' is essential for social harmony. Saying 'Pai tham-ngan' without 'na' sounds like a robotic command and can hurt feelings. Thai people often arrive early to 'tham-ngan' not just to work, but to socialize and eat breakfast with colleagues, making the 'departure' from home a significant transition. It is common for adult children living at home to announce their departure to their parents as a sign of respect (Gatanyoo). In LINE (the main chat app), people use 'ไปทำงานก่อนนะ' accompanied by 'Good Morning' stickers featuring flowers or cartoon characters.
The 'Na' Factor
If you forget everything else, don't forget the 'Na'. It's the difference between being a friend and being a robot.
Gender Particles
If you want to be extra polite, men say 'khrap' and women say 'ka'. Don't mix them up!
Signification
Saying goodbye before leaving for work.
The 'Na' Factor
If you forget everything else, don't forget the 'Na'. It's the difference between being a friend and being a robot.
Gender Particles
If you want to be extra polite, men say 'khrap' and women say 'ka'. Don't mix them up!
The Response
When someone says this to you, the standard reply is 'Chok dee na' (Good luck) or 'Tang chai tham ngan na' (Work hard).
Body Language
A small nod or a 'Wai' (if talking to an elder) while saying this adds a lot of Thai authenticity.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the friendly farewell.
ไป_______ก่อนนะ
'ทำงาน' (tham-ngan) is the standard word for 'to work'.
Which phrase is most appropriate to say to your mother before leaving for work?
Talking to Mom:
Adding 'khrap' and 'mae' (mom) makes it polite and appropriate for a parent.
Complete the dialogue.
A: สายแล้ว! B: ________ เจอกันตอนเย็นนะ
The context of being late ('sai laew') and meeting in the evening suggests a departure for work.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are ending a phone call with your girlfriend because your boss just walked in.
'นะจ๊ะ' is an intimate particle used with partners.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Who to say it to
Informal
- • Partner
- • Siblings
- • Close Friends
Polite
- • Parents
- • Elders
- • Teachers
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesไป_______ก่อนนะ
'ทำงาน' (tham-ngan) is the standard word for 'to work'.
Talking to Mom:
Adding 'khrap' and 'mae' (mom) makes it polite and appropriate for a parent.
A: สายแล้ว! B: ________ เจอกันตอนเย็นนะ
The context of being late ('sai laew') and meeting in the evening suggests a departure for work.
You are ending a phone call with your girlfriend because your boss just walked in.
'นะจ๊ะ' is an intimate particle used with partners.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes! It's common to say this to a partner before you go into your home office to signal you are starting your day.
Usually no. Thai is a pro-drop language. Omitting the subject makes it sound more natural and less formal.
It's still 'tham-ngan.' Any activity that earns money or is a duty is 'ngan.'
Use 'ขอตัวไปทำงานก่อนนะครับ/ค่ะ' (Khor tua pai tham-ngan kon na khrap/ka).
Only if you are leaving a social event to go back to the office. Don't say it when you are just arriving at work!
It literally means 'first,' implying 'I'm doing this first (before we meet again later).'
No, women should use 'ka'. Using 'khrap' would sound like you are joking or pretending to be a man.
Yes, it's a great way to end a morning chat: 'คุยแค่นี้ก่อนนะ ไปทำงานก่อนนะ' (Let's talk this much for now, off to work!).
Yes, 'ไปปั่นงานก่อน' (Pai pan ngan kon) - 'pan' means to spin, like spinning a wheel, used for grinding through work.
It's a cultural way to soften the departure, suggesting the separation is temporary.
The phrase remains the same. It's about the action of going to work, regardless of the time.
It is a verb meaning 'to work.' The noun 'workplace' is 'thi tham-ngan.'
Expressions liées
ไปเรียนก่อนนะ
similarOff to school/study now.
ไปธุระก่อนนะ
similarOff to run some errands.
เลิกงานแล้ว
contrastFinished with work.
ตั้งใจทำงานนะ
builds onWork hard! / Focus on your work.
ขอตัวก่อนนะ
specialized formI must excuse myself.
