ถ้าว่า
tâa-wâaMeaning
1ConjunctionA2
if; supposing that
Introduces a condition or hypothetical situation on which something else depends.
Examples
ถ้าว่าtâa-wâaถ้าว่าtâa-wâaif; supposing thatหิวhǐuหิวhǐu1hungry2[to] be hungry; feel hungryก็gɔ̂ก็gɔ̂1also; too2then; so (sequence/result)3conditional marker (if… then…)4well; after all (emphasis/justification)5topic/resumption markerกินข้าวgin-kâaoกินข้าวgin-kâao1[to] have a meal; eat (general)2[to] eat rice (literal)
If you’re hungry, have something to eat.
3 more examplesShow less
If it rains tomorrow, we won’t go to the beach.
If you’re free, shall we have dinner together this evening?
ถ้าว่าtâa-wâaร้านนี้ráan-níiคนเยอะkon-yə́เราraoก็gɔ̂ซื้อกลับบ้านsʉ́ʉ-glàp-bâanแทนtɛɛnจะได้jà-dâaiไม่ต้องmâi-dtɔ̂ngรอrɔɔโต๊ะdtó
If this restaurant is crowded, we’ll get takeaway instead so we won’t have to wait for a table.
Tones
See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.
2 syllables · pick one to see its rule
How the tone is decided
- Consonant classHigh class
- Tone markMai tho
- Syllable endingLive syllableNot needed here: the tone mark decides.
High class consonants
ขฃฉฐถผฝศษสห
Result
Falling tone
tâa
Starts high, rises a little, then drops clearly.
High class + Mai tho → Falling
Tone chart
Every class and spelling pattern, with this syllable outlined.
| Mid class | High class | Low class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No mark + live | Mid | Rising | Mid |
| No mark + dead short | Low | Low | High |
| No mark + dead long | Low | Low | Falling |
| Mai ek | Low | Low | Falling |
| Mai tho | Falling | Falling | High |
| Mai tri | High | — | — |
| Mai chattawa | Rising | — | — |
Word Breakdown
+
ว่าwâaว่าwâa1[to] say; tell2that (clause marker)3[to] think; consider; deem4[to] scold; reproach; criticize[to] say; tellPart 2
ถ้าว่าtâa-wâaถ้าว่าtâa-wâaif; supposing thatif; supposing thatWord